Metabolic programming of ovarian angiogenesis and folliculogenesis by maternal malnutrition during lactation.

Objective: To evaluate whether maternal malnutrition during lactation programs ovarian folliculogenesis and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and its receptors KDR, Flt-1, and FGFR.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: University-based research laboratory.

Maternal protein-energy and energy-restricted diets during lactation possibly could program folliculogenesis and the ovarian expression of leptin and its different isoform receptors in rats.

Both protein-energy and energy-restricted diets during lactation program the ovarian function of the rat offspring, leading to a reduction of folliculogenesis, possibly as the consequence of the altered expression of leptin and its isoform receptor genes.