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Updated: May 26, 2025
Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups
Published on: April 24, 2017
Maternal protein restriction impairs intestinal morphophysiology and antioxidant system in young male offspring rats
Isabela Baptista Leal Dos Santos1, Matheus Naia Fioretto1, Miguel Silingardi Jorge1
1Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy impacts offspring gut development, causing gastric issues and altering intestinal structure and function. These early changes may lead to future gastrointestinal disorders.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) links prenatal conditions to adult health.
- Maternal protein restriction (MPR) affects various organs but its impact on offspring gut development is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of gestational and lactational MPR on the duodenum and colon of young male rats.
- To determine if MPR influences early-life intestinal morphophysiology and development.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to MPR during gestation and lactation.
- Postnatal day 21 offspring underwent analysis of gastric motility, duodenal and colonic ultrastructure, and inflammatory/antioxidant markers.
Main Results:
- MPR offspring exhibited tachygastria (rapid gastric emptying).
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed reduced goblet cells and altered collagen in the duodenum and colon.
- Imbalances in inflammatory markers (IL-6, TGF-β1) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD) were observed.
Conclusions:
- MPR significantly impacts early-life gastrointestinal morphophysiology by disrupting gastric motility and altering intestinal structure.
- MPR affects antioxidant defense and inflammatory pathways in the developing gut.
- These early alterations may increase susceptibility to long-term gastrointestinal disorders.
Abstract:
The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) concept suggests that adverse conditions during gestation can influence the development and function of multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Maternal protein restriction (MPR) exposure has been associated with negative effects on reproduction, the endocrine system, and liver metabolic health. However, limited research has explored the impact of MPR on the offspring's intestinal morphophysiology. This study investigated the effects of gestational and lactational MPR on the duodenum and colon of young male offspring rats at postnatal (PND)21. We hypothesize that MPR affects intestinal morphophysiology and development early in life. Our findings revealed tachygastria in offspring exposed to MPR. The ultrastructural analysis uncovered a reduction in goblet cell numbers and changes in collagen deposition in the duodenum and colon. We also identified imbalances in inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TGF-β1) and antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD). These results demonstrate that MPR significantly affects gastrointestinal morphophysiology early in life by disrupting gastric motility and altering duodenal and colonic histoarchitecture, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory pathways. Such alterations may predispose the descendants to long-term gastrointestinal disorders, underscoring the importance of further research on the developmental origins of intestinal health and disease.
