Effect of maternal nutritional restriction during gestation on placental vascular development in goats

Maternal nutritional restriction during gestation impairs placental vascular development; however, the underlying mechanisms in goats are still not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of feed restriction (70 % of ad libitum intake) from day 50 of gestation until parturition on placental vascular morphometry and the expression of key angiogenic factors. Placentas from control goats (C, n = 5) and feed-restricted goats (PFR, n = 5) were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry, and RT-qPCR. Nutritional restriction significantly reduced the number of blood vessels while increasing their mean area and perimeter, without affecting vascular density. Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked reduction in FGF2 and ANGPT2 expression, accompanied by a compensatory increase in ANGPT1 and CD31. Transcriptional analysis showed an upward trend in the expression of genes such as KDR, while ANGPT1 expression was significantly increased. Overall, these findings indicate that maternal undernutrition induces adaptive vascular remodeling, characterized by fewer but larger vessels and selective modulation of angiogenic pathways, suggesting a compensatory mechanism aimed at preserving placental function under nutrient stress.