Effect of maternal dietary energy types on placenta nutrient transporter gene expressions and intrauterine fetal growth in rats.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of maternal dietary energy types on the mRNA expressions of the placental nutrient transporter and intrauterine fetal growth and to examine whether altered intrauterine fetal growth could be associated with different gene expressions relating to fetal energy metabolism and DNA methylation. Seventy-two 3-mo-old rats were allocated to one of four groups: low fat/low fiber (L-L), low fat/high fiber, high fat/low fiber (H-L), or high fat/high fiber. Rats were fed the treatment diets 4 wk before mating and continued in pregnancy until sample collections were obtained on days 13.5 and 17.5 of pregnancy. The fetal weight in the L-L group was significantly lower than that in the H-L group (P < 0.05). The placental nutrient transporter mRNA expressions of glucose transporter-3 (Slc2a3) and cationic amino acid transporter-1 (Slc7a1) in the L-L group with a decreased fetal weight were downregulated compared with that in the H-L group with an increased fetal weight. However, placental Slc2a1 and the system A amino acid transporter gene Slc38a4 mRNA expressions were adaptively upregulated by the L-L diet with a decreased fetal weight (P < 0.05). For the placental imprinted gene Igf-2 and H19 expressions, lower Igf-2 and higher H19 expressions were associated with the decreased fetal growth in the L-L group compared with the H-L group with an increased fetal weight. Different fetal growth was associated with different DNA methyltransferase-1 and methyltransferase-3a expressions (P > 0.05) and energy metabolism-related genes. Collectively, these results demonstrated that intrauterine fetal growth could be affected by different energy intake types through placenta nutrient transporter gene expressions, and different fetal growths were associated with altered fetal genes related to DNA methylation and energy metabolism.

Lin Y ，Zhuo Y ，Fang ZF ，Che LQ ，Wu D ... -  《-》

Beneficial effects of dietary fibre supplementation of a high-fat diet on fetal development in rats.

Lin Y ，Han XF ，Fang ZF ，Che LQ ，Nelson J ，Yan TH ，Wu D ... -  《-》

Prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress alters placental morphology and causes low birth weight.

The role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pregnancy remains largely unknown. Pregnant mice were subcutaneously administered tunicamycin (Tun), an ER stressor, as a single dose [0, 50, and 100 μg Tun/kg/body weight (BW)] on gestation days (GDs) 8.5, 12.5, and 15.5. A high incidence (75%) of preterm delivery was observed only in the group treated with Tun 100 μg/kg BW at GD 15.5, indicating that pregnant mice during late gestation are more susceptible to ER stress on preterm delivery. We further examined whether prolonged in utero exposure to ER stress affects fetal development. Pregnant mice were subcutaneously administered a dose of 0, 20, 40, and 60 μg Tun/kg from GD 12.5 to 16.5. Tun treatment decreased the placental and fetal weights in a dose-dependent manner. Histological evaluation showed the formation of a cluster of spongiotrophoblast cells in the labyrinth zone of the placenta of Tun-treated mice. The glycogen content of the fetal liver and placenta from Tun-treated mice was lower than that from control mice. Tun treatment decreased mRNA expression of Slc2a1/glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), which is a major transporter for glucose, but increased placental mRNA levels of Slc2a3/GLUT3. Moreover, maternal exposure to Tun resulted in a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), VEGFR-2, and placental growth factor. These results suggest that excessive and exogenous ER stress may induce functional abnormalities in the placenta, at least in part, with altered GLUT and vascular-related gene expression, resulting in low infant birth weight.

Kawakami T ，Yoshimi M ，Kadota Y ，Inoue M ，Sato M ，Suzuki S ... -  《-》

Maternal nutritional manipulation of placental growth and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) abundance in sheep.

Dandrea J ，Wilson V ，Gopalakrishnan G ，Heasman L ，Budge H ，Stephenson T ，Symonds ME ... -  《REPRODUCTION》

Placental expression of insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 and insulin receptor in the growth-restricted fetal rat.

Reid GJ ，Flozak AS ，Simmons RA 《journal of the society for gynecologic investigation》