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Long-term effects of IVF on offspring kidneys in mice: observations from adolescence to adulthood
Xiaoqian Zhou1, Yifei Sun1, Wanbing Feng1
1Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, 250012, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, China; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Research Question:
What is the effect of IVF on the long-term health of offspring kidneys?
Design:
An IVF mouse model was established and renal structure, renal function and cortical oxidative stress were observed from the age of 2 months to ascertain any disparities compared with naturally conceived offspring. Observation continued until the mice reached 5 months of age.
Results:
No significant difference was found in the body weight of IVF and naturally conceived offspring mice aged 2-5 months. The renal-to-body weight ratio of the IVF offspring was higher than that of the naturally conceived offspring at 2 months (P = 0.02) and 3 months (P = 0.01), but this difference disappeared in offspring aged 4-5 months. At 5 months of age IVF offspring had lower urine creatinine concentrations than naturally conceived offspring (P = 0.03). Moreover, the expression of Ace2 was observed to decrease in the kidneys of 4- to 5-month-old IVF mice (4 months, P = 0.003; 5 months, P = 0.04), and the expression of Agtr1a was higher in 5-month-old IVF mice compared with naturally conceived mice (P = 0.002). The malondialdehyde concentration in 5-month-old IVF offspring was higher than in naturally conceived offspring (P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
This study indicated that the microvascular thickness in the kidneys of IVF offspring remains unchanged, but minor alterations in kidney function, renin-angiotensin system gene expression and renal cortical oxidative stress were evident by 5 months of age.
