Effects Of Intrauterine Growth Retardation Research Articles

Intrauterine Growth Retardation Affects Intestinal Health of Suckling Piglets via Altering Intestinal Antioxidant Capacity, Glucose Uptake, Tight Junction, and Immune Responses.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on the intestinal morphology, intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, intestinal antioxidant capacity, intestinal glucose absorption capacity, and intestinal barrier function of piglets during the suckling period. A total of eight normal-birth-weight (NBW) piglets and eight IUGR newborn piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were selected from eight litters, one NBW and one IUGR newborn piglet per litter. In each litter, piglets with birth weight of 1.54 ± 0.04 kg (within one SD of the mean birth weight) were selected as NBW piglets and piglets with birth weight of 0.82 ± 0.03 kg (two SD below the mean birth weight) were selected as IUGR piglets. At 21 days of age, all piglets were killed by exsanguinations for sampling. The results showed the body weight (BW) of IUGR piglets on day 0, day 7, day 14, and day 21, and the body weight gain (BWG) of IUGR piglets was significantly lower than that of NBW piglets. IUGR piglets exhibited impaired intestinal morphology, raised enterocyte apoptosis, and increased oxidative damage. It showed that IUGR leads to a lower antioxidant capacity and glucose absorption in the jejunum. In accordance, IUGR caused the intestinal barrier dysfunction by impairing tight junctions and increasing intestinal inflammatory injury. Collectively, these results add to our understanding that IUGR affects intestinal health of suckling piglets via altering intestinal antioxidant capacity, glucose uptake, tight junction, and immune responses, and the slow growth of piglets with IUGR may be associated with intestinal injury.

Evaluation of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis via Wnt/β-Catenin, S100 immunoexpression and histomorphometry in fetal rats following maternal uterine artery ligation

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of intrauterine growth retardation depending on maternal uterine artery ligation, Wnt/β-catenin and S100 expression immunohistochemistry and histomorphometrically on chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of fetal rats. Materials and Methods: Maternal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5). No surgery or anesthesia were applied in control group. Bilaterally the maternal uterine arteries were ligated on gestational day 18 in experimental group. Although all surgical procedures were performed in sham group, the uterine artery ligation were not made. Fetuses were taken on gestational day 20, thicknesses of growth plate and zones, trabecular number and thickness and cortical thickness were evaluated with the histomorphometrically in samples from left proximal tibia. The expressions of β-catenin and S100 immunohistochemically were evaluated in the growth plate. Results: Thicknesses of growth plate (p<0.01), proliferation zone (p<0.05) and degeneration zone (p<0.01) were measured significantly thinner in experimental group than the others and thicknesses of hypertrophic zones were lesser than the control and sham group, but the results were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Also trabecular numbers were lower (p<0.01) and trabecular thickness were also thinner (p<0.05) in experimental group. Expression of β-catenin was declined and S100 expression was increased in experimental group. Conclusion: We conclude that maternal uterine artery ligation, leads to shortness of growth plate and degenerated bone architecture because of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Consequences of intra-uterine growth retardation for postnatal growth, metabolism and pathophysiology

Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR), caused by maternal undernutrition or placental insufficiency, is usually associated with disproportionately large reductions in the growth of some fetal organs and tissues (thymus, liver, spleen, thyroid) and impaired cellular development of other tissues (small intestine, secondary wool follicles, skeletal muscle). Growth of other tissues, most notably brain, is relatively unimpaired. In our restudy of postnatal consequences of IUGR in the offspring of prolific ewes, growth-retarded newborn lambs tended to be hypoglycaemic and showed sluggish postnatal engagement of the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. When artificially reared in an optimum environment, low birth weight lambs grew at rates similar to those of normal lambs. However, low birth weight lambs were fatter at any given weight, apparently related to their high energy intakes, especially soon after birth, had low maintenance energy requirements, and limited capacity for bone and muscle growth. These growth characteristics were accompanied by higher plasma concentrations of GH and leptin, and lower concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life, and higher concentrations of insulin during subsequent growth up to 20 kg body weight. Emerging evidence indicates that in sheep, as in rodents, fetal programming of postnatal cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunctions is associated with IUGR and may be mediated partly by overexposure of the fetus to cortisol. Similar postnatal responses can be elicited by maternal undernutrition or cortisol treatment in early to mid-pregnancy without changing the growth of the fetus or placenta.

Exploratory study of the effects of intra-uterine growth retardation and neonatal energy supplementation of low birth-weight piglets on their post-weaning cognitive abilities

The present study investigated the effects of intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR, score 0–3; i.e., “normal” to “severe”) level at birth, and the effects of neonatal energy supplementation (dosed with 2 ml of coconut oil, commercial product or water, or sham-dosed), on post-weaning cognitive abilities of low birth-weight piglets (< 1.1 kg). In total, 184 piglets were recruited at weaning (27 ± 0.1 days) for habituation to the test procedures, and were either tested for spatial learning and memory in a T-maze (n = 42; 37 ± 0.5 days) or for short-term memory in a spontaneous object recognition task (SORT; n = 47; 41 ± 0.3 days). Neonatal supplementation did not affect performances of pigs in the T-maze task or SORT. IUGR3 pigs tended to be faster to enter the reward arm and to obtain the reward in the reversal step of the T-Maze task, suggesting a better learning flexibility, compared to IUGR1 (entry t72.8=2.9, P = 0.024; reward t80 = 3.28, P = 0.008) and IUGR2 (entry t70.3=2.5, P = 0.068; reward t73.9 = 2.77, P = 0.034) pigs. However, a higher percentage of IUGR1 pigs tended to approach the novel object first (DSCF-value = 3.07; P = 0.076) and to interact with it more (t40 = 2.19, P = 0.085), relative to IGUR3 pigs. IUGR1 pigs showed a strong preference for the novel object, as they had a greater percentage time difference interacting with the objects when the novel object was presented (t81 = − 3.41, P = 0.013). In conclusion, some low birth-weight piglets are able to perform a spatial task and an object recognition test, but performances in these tests may be modulated by IUGR level.

Effects of Intrauterine Growth Retardation on Growth, Meat Quality and Muscle Fiber Composition of Pigs

Effects of Intrauterine Growth Retardation on Growth, Meat Quality and Muscle Fiber Composition of Pigs

Altered tissue mineralization, increased hepatic lipid and inhibited autophagy in intrauterine growth retardation piglets

Mineral homeostasis is often disrupted in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) infants. Most studies focus on calcium or phosphorus metabolism of IUGR infants via determining serum mineral concentrations instead of tissues. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of IUGR on the mineralization and physiological functions of tissue in a piglet model. Six normal birth weight (NBW) and six IUGR neonatal piglets were slaughtered at 35 days. Mineral concentrations in blood and selected tissues (liver, kidney, lungs, heart, and longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM)), hepatic lipid, mRNA expressions of magnesium (Mg) metabolism, and autophagy were analysed. Results showed that IUGR pigs showed significantly lower phosphorus (P) in LDM, and lower Mg in the liver and LDM, and higher Mg in lungs than NBW pigs. There were no significant differences in concentrations of selenium (Se), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and lithium (Li) in selected tissues. IUGR pigs had similar mRNA expression of TRPM7 and MagT1 to NBW pigs, but significantly lower expressions of HNF1B and Mrs2 in the liver than NBW pigs. Hepatic triglyceride was significantly increased, and MAP1LC3B expression was significantly decreased in IUGR pigs compared with those of NBW pigs. These result suggested that IUGR pigs had tissue mineralization disturbance, especially for Mg, and liver dysfunction (increased hepatic lipid and inhibited autophagy). Hepatic Mg deficiency might result from increased Mg efflux via reducing HNF1B expression.Keywords: Hepatic triglyceride, magnesium metabolism, mineral homeostasis, physiological function

Effect of intrauterine growth retardation on the structure and function of the kidney

Effect of intrauterine growth retardation on the structure and function of the kidney

Morphology of the parotid gland of rats under conditions of experimental intrauterine growth retardation.

Background . Child’s dental caries is one of the most topical problems in practical dentistry. In case of neglecting of prevention and treatment it can lead not only to local complications, but also to systemic processes. Many studies have shown the dependence of tooth tissue destruction on changing the properties of oral fluid. Therefore the problem of salivary glands pathomorphology and function are regarded as promising directions for further fundamental research. Objective . According to this, the aim of the study was an experimental investigation of the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on the structural remodeling of the parotid salivary gland. Methods . Parotid glands of 65 newborn rats, including 35 animals with signs of IUGR and 30 controls born after physiological pregnancy were the material of the study. Tissue samples of parotid glands were studied microscopically. The differences were analyzed by methods of mathematical statistics; data were compared with controls by Student’s t-test. Results revealed the reduction of the number and size of the parotid gland’s lobules with a concomitant stromal connective tissue proliferation. The vessels were hyperemic. There were also perivascular foci of stromal edema. Glandular acini had some features of the degenerative changes of epitheliocytes – sign of hydropic dystrophy. Morphometric study of the structural organization of the parotid glands of the newborn rat in case of IUGR defined the reduction in parenchymal VF to 25,00 ± 6,96% and increases VF of the stroma to 35,67 ± 4,29% (in controls - 51,72 ± 7,04 and 23,70 ± 3,25%, P <0.05, respectively). Conclusion . Results of the research are considered in terms of structural basis of functional deficiency of the parotid gland and the possible impact of developmental retardation on oral fluid properties.

Effects of intrauterine growth retardation and Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation on growth performance, intestinal development and immune function of piglets during the suckling period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and Bacillus subtilis PB6 supplementation in formula milk (FORM) on growth performance, intestinal development and immune function of neonates using a porcine model. Fourteen pairs of normal birth weight and IUGR piglets (7days old) were randomly assigned to receive FORM or FORM supplemented with B. subtilis PB6 (FORM-BsPB6) for a period of 21days. Blood samples, intestinal tissues and digesta were collected at necropsy and analysed for morphology, digestive enzyme activities, immune cell abundance, expression of genes associated with innate immunity and barrier function and microbial populations. Regardless of diet, IUGR significantly decreased average daily dry matter intake and average daily weight gain (P<0.05). Moreover, IUGR significantly decreased plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin A, interleukin 1β, count and percentage of blood lymphocytes (P<0.05). Meanwhile, IUGR markedly decreased villous height and maltase activity, as well as mRNA abundance of Toll-like receptor 9 and Toll-interacting protein in the ileum (P<0.05). Regardless of body weight, FORM-BsPB6 markedly decreased the feed conversion ratio (P<0.05), due to better intestinal development, as indicated by increased villous height (P<0.05), activities of maltase and sucrase in the intestine (P<0.10). Moreover, both mRNA and protein abundances of zonula occludens-1 and claudin-1 in the ileum as well as the copy number of Bacillus in colonic digesta were increased (P<0.05) in piglets fed FORM-BsPB6 relative to FORM. The results of this study indicate that IUGR delayed growth, intestinal development and immune function of piglets, while FORM-BsPB6 improved digestive capability and intestinal barrier function.

Repercusiones en el crecimiento y desarrollo del niño.

El embarazo significa un incremento de las necesidades nutricionales para la mujer, por lo que es necesario un adecuado estado nutricional, no solamente durante la gestación, sino en los períodos previos a ella, pues repercute en el bienestar físico y mental del niño. Se cubre estas necesidades adicionales en base a ciertos ajustes fisiológicos en la mujer bien nutrida. Sin embargo, es ampliamente conocido que, cuando existe malnutrición materna, se pueden producir deficiencias nutricionales en el feto, siendo una consecuencia el retardo de crecimiento intrauterino (RCIU), lo cual incrementa la morbimortalidad en la vida postnatal. El presente artículo revisa en forma sucinta las repercusiones de la nutrición materna en el crecimiento y desarrollo del niño.

Effect of intrauterine growth retardation on gluconeogenic enzymes in rat liver

To investigate the expression of gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and G-6-Pase mRNA of hepatic tissue in rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and to explore the molecular mechanism of insulin resistance in IUGR rats. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a normal group and a model group. The normal group were fed with 21% protein forage and the model group with 10% low protein forage to obtain IUGR pup rats. The pup rats were introduced to the normal group and the IUGR group prospectively. At 1, 3 and 8 weeks, the body weight, blood glucose, insulin concentration and insulin resistance index of the pup rats were measured. Expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The birth weight of the IUGR group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P<0.001). The weight of the IUGR group was still lower than that of the normal group at 1, 3 and 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in the blood glucose, insulin level and insulin resistance index between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The hepatic expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA in the IUGR group was significantly higher than that of the normal group at 1, 3 and 8 weeks (P<0.01). The significantly increased expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA of hepatic tissue in IUGR rats may increase gluconeogenesis, which is probably one of the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and diabetes in IUGR.

Effects of intrauterine growth retardation and postnatal high-fat diet on hepatic inflammatory response in pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the glucose and insulin response of pigs with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) to a high-fat (HF) feeding regimen and to observe the underlying toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signalling pathway. Weaned piglets with IUGR or normal birthweight (NBW) (n = 20 each) received during the whole fattening period control diets (0% lard) or HF diets (HF, 10% lard). At about 110 kg body weight, pigs were euthanised to collect hepatic samples. Compared with NBW pigs, IUGR pigs had lower daily gain and feed intake. Growth rate of pigs was increased by HF feeding. Pigs fed HF diets had lower peak concentrations of glucose and insulin, which decreased more slowly than in pigs that received the control diets. The mRNA expression abundances of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Rn) were significantly affected by HF feeding, and IL-6 and IL-1Rn mRNA expressions were up-regulated in IUGR pigs compared with NBW pigs. Western blot analysis indicated that HF feeding elevated the protein expressions of TLR4 signalling pathway, as TLR4, MyD88, IκB kinase β and nuclear factor-κB, and insulin signalling-related proteins, as phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphorylated protein kinase B. In summary, hepatic TLR4 signalling pathway and inflammatory response induced by HF feeding played an important role in the aggravated development of insulin resistance in pigs.

Effects of intrauterine growth retardation and maternal folic acid supplementation on hepatic mitochondrial function and gene expression in piglets

Piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) or with normal birth weight (NBW) were selected to evaluate the effects of maternal folic acid supplementation on hepatic mitochondrial function and expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biogenesis and mitochondrial function. During gestation, primiparous Yorkshire sows were fed a Control diet (folic acid 1.3 mg/kg) or a folic acid-supplemented diet (folic acid 30 mg/kg) with 16 replicates per diet. During the 28-d lactation period, sows were fed a common diet. Compared with NBW piglets, hepatic ATP concentrations and mtDNA contents were decreased in IUGR piglets. Furthermore, IUGR piglets exhibited lower membrane potential and decreased oxygen consumption in liver mitochondria, but these parameters were not affected by maternal folic acid supplementation. Intrauterine growth retardation decreased mRNA expression abundance of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, mitochondrial transcription factor A, uncoupling protein 3, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and IV. Impaired antioxidant capacity characterised by increased malondialdehyde content and decreased manganese-superoxide dismutase activity was also observed in IUGR pigs. In IUGR piglets, however, nearly all of these parameters were normalised to the level of NBW piglets when the maternal diet was supplemented with folic acid during pregnancy. Hence, maternal folic acid supplementation was proved to be an effective way to reverse the changes in gene expressions in IUGR pigs, which provided a possible nutritional strategy to improve growth development of IUGR individuals.

Effects of glutamine supplementation on the immune status in weaning piglets with intrauterine growth retardation

Neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) often suffer from impaired cellular immunity, and weaning may further aggravate adverse effects of IUGR on development and function of the immune system. In this study, we investigated effects of glutamine supplementation on immune status in the intestines of weaning pigs with IUGR, focusing on molecular mechanisms underlying altered immune response. Piglets with IUGR were weaned at 21 days of age and received orally 1.22 g alanine or 1 g glutamine per kg body weight every 12 h. Weight gain and intestinal weight of weaning piglets were increased by glutamine supplementation. Levels of serum IgG in piglets supplemented with glutamine were increased compared with Control piglets. The production of IL-1 and IL-8 in the serum and jejunum was decreased by glutamine supplementation, whereas the levels of IL-4 in the serum and the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 in the jejunum were increased. The expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the jejunum was increased by glutamine supplementation, but the degradation of inhibitor κB and the activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were decreased. In conclusion, glutamine supplementation enhanced immune response in weaning piglets with IUGR. The effects of glutamine in IUGR are associated with increased Hsp70 expression and suppression of NF-κB activation.

Effect of intrauterine growth retardation on liver and long-term metabolic risk

Intrauterine growth retardation predisposes toward long-term morbidity from type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. To explain this association, the concept of programming was introduced to indicate a process whereby a stimulus or insult at a critical period of development has lasting or lifelong consequences on key endocrine and metabolic pathways. Subtle changes in cell composition of tissues, induced by suboptimal conditions in utero, can influence postnatal physiological functions. There is increasing evidence, suggesting that liver may represent one of the candidate organs targeted by programming, undergoing structural, functional and epigenetic changes following exposure to an unfavorable intrauterine environment. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying liver programming that contribute to increase the cardiometabolic risk in subjects with intrauterine growth restriction.

P1-2 Structural equation modelling in a fetal mortality case-control study in Brazil

IntroductionThe outcome in the categorical form is very common and broadly used in epidemiology, specially in case-control studies, where the outcome can be disease/death/health conditions of a Yes/No form. It...

Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with persistent aortic wall thickening and glomerular proteinuria during infancy

Low birth weight, caused either by preterm birth or by intrauterine growth restriction, has recently been associated with increased rates of adult renal and cardiovascular disease. Since aortic intima–media thickening is a noninvasive marker of preclinical vascular disease, we compared abdominal aortic intima–media thickness among intrauterine growth restricted and equivalent gestational age fetuses in utero and at 18 months of age. The relationship between intrauterine growth restriction, fetal aortic thickening, and glomerular function during infancy was measured by enrolling 44 mothers with single-fetus pregnancies at 32 weeks gestation: 23 growth restricted and 21 of appropriate gestational age as controls. Abdominal aortic intima–media thickness was measured by ultrasound at enrollment and again at 18 months of age. Fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction had significantly higher abdominal aortic intima–media thickness compared with age controls when measured both in utero and at 18 months. At 18 months, the median urinary microalbumin and median albumin–creatinine ratio were significantly higher in those infants who experienced intrauterine growth restriction compared to the controls. Our results show that intrauterine growth restriction is associated with persistent aortic wall thickening and significantly higher microalbuminuria during infancy.

Developmental plasticity in covariance structure of the skull: effects of prenatal stress.

Environmental perturbations of many kinds influence growth and development. Little is known, however, about the influence of environmental factors on the patterns of phenotypic integration observed in complex morphological traits. We analyze the changes in phenotypic variance-covariance structure of the rat skull throughout the early postnatal ontogeny (from birth to weaning) and evaluate the effect of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on this structure. Using 2D coordinates taken from lateral radiographs obtained every 4 days, from birth to 21 days old, we show that the pattern of covariance is temporally dynamic from birth to 21 days. The environmental perturbation provoked during pregnancy altered the skull growth, and reduced the mean size of the IUGR group. These environmental effects persisted throughout lactancy, when the mothers of both groups received a standard diet. More strikingly, the effect grew larger beyond this point. Altering environmental conditions did not affect all traits equally, as revealed by the low correlations between covariance matrices of treatments at the same age. Finally, we found that the IUGR treatment increased morphological integration as measured by the scaled variance of eigenvalues. This increase coincided and is likely related to an increase in morphological variance in this group. This result is expected if somatic growth is a major determinant of covariance structure of the skull. In summary, our findings suggest that environmental perturbations experienced in early ontogeny alter fundamental developmental processes and are an important factor in shaping the variance-covariance structure of complex phenotypic traits.

060 An analysis of the effect of intrauterine growth retardation on spirometric lung function measures of 8-year-old children

ObjectiveIncreasing evidence suggests that intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with long-term morbidities, including respiratory outcomes. The relationship between IUGR and lung function has been studied in adults, but few...

The Effect of Intrauterine Growth Retardation on the Expression of Developmental Factors in Porcine Placenta Subsequent to the Initiation of Placentation

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) hinders fetal growth and postnatal development in swine; however the etiology of IUGR is essentially unknown. Expression of fourteen candidate genes associated with placental development or IUGR was examined in gestational day 50 (gd50) control and IUGR fetus whole placental tissue or areolae by real-time PCR. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ENOS) mRNA expression was elevated in gd50 IUGR placenta and areola compared to gd50 control. Since ENOS could modulate vascular tone and angiogenesis via nitric oxide production, data suggest that the increase in IUGR may be an adaptive response to poor perfusion to maintain pregnancy.