Slower Growth during Lactation Rescues Early Cardiovascular and Adipose Tissue Hypertrophy Induced by Fetal Undernutrition in Rats

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) and accelerated growth during lactation are associated with cardiometabolic disease development. LBW offspring from rats exposed to undernutrition during gestation (MUN) develops hypertension. In this rat model, we tested if slower postnatal growth improves early cardiometabolic alterations. MUN dams were fed ad libitum during gestation days 1–10, with 50% of the daily intake during days 11–21 and ad libitum during lactation. Control dams were always fed ad libitum. Pups were maintained with their own mother or cross-fostered. Body weight and length were recorded weekly, and breastmilk was obtained. At weaning, the heart was evaluated by echocardiography, and aorta structure and adipocytes in white perivascular fat were studied by confocal microscopy (size, % beige-adipocytes by Mitotracker staining). Breastmilk protein and fat content were not significantly different between groups. Compared to controls, MUN males significantly accelerated body weight gain during the exclusive lactation period (days 1–14) while females accelerated during the last week; length growth was slower in MUN rats from both sexes. By weaning, MUN males, but not females, showed reduced diastolic function and hypertrophy in the heart, aorta, and adipocytes; the percentage of beige-type adipocytes was smaller in MUN males and females. Fostering MUN offspring on control dams significantly reduced weight gain rate, cardiovascular, and fat hypertrophy, increasing beige-adipocyte proportion. Control offspring nursed by MUN mothers reduced body growth gain, without cardiovascular modifications. In conclusion, slower growth during lactation can rescue early cardiovascular alterations induced by fetal undernutrition. Exclusive lactation was a key period, despite no modifications in breastmilk macronutrients, suggesting the role of bioactive components. Our data support that lactation is a key period to counteract cardiometabolic disease programming in LBW and a potential intervention window for the mother.

Evaluation of Parameters Which Influence Voluntary Ingestion of Supplements in Rats

“…All the dams accepted the gelatin and ate it during the 3 weeks of lactation and completed ingestion in a single attempt and between 1 and 5 min. No alterations in dam behavior or problems with the pups were detected, compared to our previous studies in lactating rats [15]. A video showing the ingestion of a CSE cube by a lactating rat is included (Video S2).…”

Effect of Supplementation with Coffee and Cocoa By-Products to Ameliorate Metabolic Syndrome Alterations Induced by High-Fat Diet in Female Mice

“…Perivascular adipocytes were dissected from the mesenteric bed and studied with confocal microscopy as previously described [21]. Briefly, to evaluate adipocyte size, the WAT samples were mounted on a slide with a small well filled with CITIFLUOR-AF mounting medium and were visualized with a spectral laser scanning confocal microscope.…”