Impacts of low birthweight on kidney development and intergenerational growth of the offspring.

Low birthweight (LBW) increases the risk of adult-onset diseases, including kidney diseases, with intergenerational consequences; however, the underlying mechanisms and effective interventions are unclear. To examine the cross-generational effects of LBW, we established an LBW mouse model through reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) and investigated the therapeutic potential of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, on LBW-associated consequences. RUPP-pups (R1) had lower fetal and birth weights, delayed renal development, and fewer glomeruli than Sham-pups.