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Effects of intrauterine undernutrition on the renal function of the progeny
S R Lucas1, V L Costa-Silva, F Zaladek-Gil
1Departamento de Fisiologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, SP, Brasil.
Insights
Maternal food restriction during pregnancy impairs offspring renal function. Offspring exhibited reduced glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, indicating long-term kidney damage even after a normal diet post-birth.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Maternal nutrition during pregnancy significantly influences offspring development and long-term health.
- Severe food restriction in pregnant rats can impact fetal development, potentially leading to lasting physiological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of maternal food restriction during specific periods of pregnancy on the renal function of the offspring.
- To assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), and urinary flow (V) in adult rats whose mothers experienced nutritional stress.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats were subjected to 50% food restriction during either the first 11 days of gestation (R1 group) or the entire pregnancy (RT group).
- Offspring were raised on a standard diet for 3 months post-birth before renal function parameters were measured.
- Control (C) group offspring received normal nutrition throughout pregnancy and post-natally.
Main Results:
- Both R1 and RT groups showed significantly decreased GFR and RPF compared to controls.
- Urinary flow (V) was also significantly reduced in the offspring of food-restricted mothers.
- Despite reduced GFR, net acid excretion per ml of GFR was maintained or increased, suggesting compensatory mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Severe maternal food restriction during pregnancy leads to demonstrable, long-lasting impairment of glomerular hemodynamics in rat offspring.
- These renal functional deficits persist even when offspring are provided with a normal diet for an extended period after birth.
- The study highlights the critical role of maternal nutrition in programming offspring kidney health and function.
Abstract:
The progeny of rats submitted to 50% food restriction during a) the first 11 days of pregnancy (R1 group) and b) the entire period of pregnancy (RT group) was studied for renal function. After birth, the litter was left with the mother for 28 days and allowed free access to food and water until the experimental time, which occurred 3 months after birth. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and urinary flow (V) decreased significantly in both the Rl and RT groups when compared to control rats (C) (GFR = 4.44 +/- 0.12 and 4.26 +/- 0.17 vs 6.95 +/- 0.25, and RPF = 19.06 +/- 0.57 and 12.59 +/- 0.60 vs 24.64 +/- 1.18). However, net acid excretion calculated per ml GFR was maintained or even stimulated (AB = 12.63 +/- 0.44 and 8.31 +/- 0.29 vs 7.9 +/- 0.85). The results show that a definite impairment of glomerular hemodynamics is demonstrable 3 months after birth in the progeny of mothers submitted to severe food restriction during pregnancy, even when the progeny have been on a normal diet for 2 months after suckling.