Effect of antenatal taurine supplementation on the taurine levels in brain of fetal rat with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Objective To examine the taurine levels and determine the influence of antenatal taurine on the taurine content in the brains of fetal rats with intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR). Methods Fifteen pregnant rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, IUGR group and the IUGR+antenatal taurine supplement group(taurine group)(n=5). IUGR models were induced by low protein diet throughout gestation period. Taurine was added to the diet of the taurine group with a dose of 300 mg/(kg·d) from 12 days after conception until natural delivery. Two fetal rats were randomly selected from each nest and were sacrificed to obtain the brains, and the taurine levels in fetal rat brains were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results The average weight of fetal rats in the normal control group, the IUGR group and the taurine group were (6.619±0.413) g, (4.509±0.454) g, (5.176±0.436) g, there was a significant difference among the 3 groups(F=429.818, P<0.01). The taurine levels in fetal rat brain in the normal control group, the IUGR group, and the taurine group were(2.399±0.134)×103 μg/g, (1.881±0.166)×103 μg/g and(2.170±0.191)×103 μg/g, there was a significant difference among the 3 groups(F=24.828, P<0.01). Conclusion Antenatal taurine supplementation can significantly increase the taurine level in fetal rat brain with IUGR. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction; Taurine; Brain; High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; Fetal rat