Long-term effects of foetal undernutrition on intermediary metabolism in growing lambs

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foetal undernutrition on the metabolism in growing lambs. Seven-month-old lambs whose mothers had been fed either restrictively (RN; n ¼ 14) or adequately (AN; n ¼ 6) in late gestation were fasted for three days. One hour before fasting and after 48 h and 72 h fasting, changes in plasma concentrations of metabolites, i.e. glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), 3-b-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and urea as well as hormones, i.e. insulin, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and leptin, were determined. Blood glucose, NEFA, urea, insulin, IGF-I and leptin were not different between the two groups of lambs. Unexpectedly, at the end of the 3 d fasting, in spite of lower NEFA concentration (1.6 + 0.03 vs. 1.9 + 0.05 mM in Groups RN and AN, respectively), the BOHB concentration in RN lambs (0.94 + 0.02 mM) was significantly higher than that in AN lambs (0.78 + 0.04 mM). This higher rate of BOHB production might be interpreted as perturbations in ketone body metabolism potentially induced by undernutrition during foetal life. However, more investigations are necessary to clarify this interrelationship.

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

“…During this critical and sensitive fetal stage, the structure, physiology, and metabolism of different organs and systems can be modified, leading to detrimental postnatal metabolic changes (Mossa, Walsh, Ireland, & Evans, 2015). Similarly, undernutrition during fetal life could cause permanent alterations in the endocrine function in the fetus to ensure fetus survival under adverse intrauterine conditions (Kiani et al, 2011;Rhind, 2004). For example, prenatal nutrient availability influences the ability of calves to regulate plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin (Ford & Long, 2011).…”

Metabolic Programming: Origin of Non-Communicable Diseases in Early Life Nutrition

“…Postnatally, lambs were kept and reared under the same environmental conditions. We showed that offspring (about 6 months of age) born to undernourished mothers had lower insulin-secretory capacity, an increased adipose lipolytic capacity (63), and signs of perturbations in ketone body metabolism during fasting (64). After 3 years, in spite of significant reduction in body weight (16% lighter), early life undernutrition did not affect pregnancy outcome in ewes born to mothers with restricted dietary intake (total lamb birth weight).…”

Association Between Body Weight Growth and Selected Physiological Parameters in Male Japanese Quail (Coturnrix japonica)

“…6). BGL has very important role to play in the regulation of glucose in the tissues and production of energy for use in the metabolic processes (Kiani et al ., 2011). Timeline BGL values showed significant association with their percentage deviations from the baseline values at d8 (r = 0.912 at p<0.01).…”

“…In conclusion, there was an increase in plasma proteins and PCV with increase of body weight with age and rapid decline in blood sugar level nearing sexual maturity. The increase of plasma proteins could be attributed to increased production from liver due to increasing body mass and metabolic activities during sexual maturation (Harper et al ., 1993; Druyan et al ., 2007; Kiani et al ., 2011). An increase of PCV probably followed enhanced erythropoiesis due to higher growth rate, metabolic activities and production of gonadotropins, sex and metabolic hormones.…”

“…Models for growth rate evaluations developed in two strains of chicken (Gavin et al ., 1998) and Gull-billed Tern chicks (Albano et al ., 2011), were very useful tools for comparative growth studies. Anatomy and physiology are intertwined and various physiological characteristics, undoubtedly, reflect on the capability and performance of anatomical structures in health and in disease such as the function of plasma proteins (PP), the building blocks of body tissues, in production of hormones and antibodies, carriers of numerous blood constituents, maintenance of osmotic pressure, controlling acid-base balance of the blood and production of series of enzymes associated with performance and maintenance of body activities (Harper et al ., 1993; Druyan et al ., 2007; Kiani et al ., 2011). Furthermore, PCV has a vital role in blood viscosity and transportation of oxygen to the tissues and that of blood glucose in the production and regulation of energy in the tissues.…”