The influence of gestational zinc deficiency on the fetal insulin-like growth factor axis in the rat.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, a key regulator of embryonic growth and development, is exquisitely sensitive to the nutrient status of the animal. In addition to macronutrient deficiencies, zinc deficiency can impact the IGF axis. Gestational zinc deficiency is teratogenic, resulting in intrauterine growth retardation and structural abnormalities.

The effects of marginal maternal vitamin A status on penta-brominated diphenyl ether mixture-induced alterations in maternal and conceptal vitamin A and fetal development in the Sprague Dawley rat.

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) toxicity in rodents can be associated with disruptions in endocrine signaling. We previously reported that the penta-BDE mixture, DE-71, disrupts thyroid hormones and vitamin A metabolism in rats during lactation, and that this disruption is amplified in animals fed diets marginal in vitamin A. The ability of the DE-71 to disrupt vitamin A metabolism during the prenatal period has not been evaluated.

Zinc deficiency-induced iron accumulation, a consequence of alterations in iron regulatory protein-binding activity, iron transporters, and iron storage proteins.

One consequence of zinc deficiency is an elevation in cell and tissue iron concentrations. To examine the mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon, Swiss 3T3 cells were cultured in zinc-deficient (D, 0.5 microM zinc), zinc-supplemented (S, 50 microM zinc), or control (C, 4 microM zinc) media.

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)-induced alterations in vitamin A and thyroid hormone concentrations in the rat during lactation and early postnatal development.

In experimental animals fed standard laboratory diets, penta-BDE mixtures can decrease circulating thyroid hormone and liver vitamin A concentrations. A substantial number of pregnant women and their children have marginal vitamin A status, potentially increasing their risk of adverse effects to penta-BDE exposure. The current study investigated the effects of maternal gestational and lactational penta-BDE exposure on thyroid hormone and vitamin A homeostasis in rats of sufficient vitamin A (VAS) or marginal vitamin A (VAM) status and their offspring.

Zinc deficiency-induced cell death.

Zinc deficiency is characterized by an attenuation of growth factor signaling pathways and an amplification of p53 pathways. This outcome is facilitated by hypo-phosphorylation of AKT and ERK secondary to zinc deficiency, which are permissive events to the activation of the intrinsic cell death pathway. Low zinc concentrations provide an environment that is also conducive to the production of reactive oxygen/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and caspase activation.

Zinc influences the in vitro development of peri-implantation mouse embryos.

Background: For humans, it is estimated that over 70% of concepti are lost during early development. In culture, mouse peri-implantation embryos can mimic development from the blastocyst to the egg cylinder stage of development, a period during which implantation occurs in vivo. We describe a novel application of this model to investigate nutritional factors that may influence this stage of development.

The plausibility of micronutrient deficiencies being a significant contributing factor to the occurrence of pregnancy complications.

Numerous studies support the concept that a major cause of pregnancy complications can be suboptimal embryonic and fetal nutrition. Although the negative effects of diets low in energy on pregnancy outcome are well documented, less clear are the effects of diets that are low in one or more essential micronutrients. However, several observational and intervention studies suggest that diets low in essential vitamins and minerals can pose a significant reproductive risk in diverse human populations.

Developmental consequences of trace mineral deficiencies in rodents: acute and long-term effects.

Approximately 3% of infants born have at least one serious congenital malformation. In the U.S.

Requirement for Foxd3 in maintaining pluripotent cells of the early mouse embryo.

Critical to our understanding of the developmental potential of stem cells and subsequent control of their differentiation in vitro and in vivo is a thorough understanding of the genes that control stem cell fate. Here, we report that Foxd3, a member of the forkhead family of transcriptional regulators, is required for maintenance of embryonic cells of the early mouse embryo. Foxd3-/- embryos die after implantation at approximately 6.