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.
Animal(s): Adult female rats from a urogenital research laboratory.
Intervention(s): Six rat dams randomly assigned to the following groups: control group (C), with free access to a standard laboratory diet containing 23% protein; and a protein-energy-restricted group (PER), with free access to an isoenergy and protein-restricted diet containing 8% protein. After weaning, the female pups had free access to the standard laboratory diet until 90 days of age, when they were sacrificed at the proestrum stage.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Quantification of ovarian follicles, vessels, and expression of growth factors and their receptors.
Result(s): Maternal malnutrition during lactation caused a significant reduction in the number of primordial (C = 6.60 +/- 0.24, PER = 5.20 +/- 0.20), primary (C = 5.80 +/- 0.66, PER = 4.00 +/- 0.31), and Graafian follicles/section (C = 2.18 +/- 0.29, PER = 1.08 +/- 0.37), in KDR (C = 0.22 +/- 0.04, PER = 0.09 +/- 0.01), Flt-1 (C = 0.28 +/- 0.05, PER = 0.12 +/- 0.02), and FGFR mRNA expression (C = 0.34 +/- 0.05, PER = 0.13 +/- 0.05) and in the vessel density of follicles (C = 17.26 +/- 2.30, PER = 9.96 +/- 0.97).
Conclusion(s): Maternal malnutrition during lactation programs the follicular development by a reduction of VEGF and FGF mRNA receptors expression, probably from a direct action on the follicular development or a reduction in vasculature resulting in a decreased delivery of folliculotrophic substances in PER animals.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.05.050 | DOI Listing |
Nutrients
January 2025
Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
Background/objectives: The DNA methylation of neonatal cord blood can be used to accurately estimate gestational age. This is known as epigenetic gestational age. The greater the difference between epigenetic and chronological gestational age, the greater the association with an inappropriate perinatal fetal environment and development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
January 2025
Nutrition Program, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Chouran Beirut, P.O. Box 13-5053, Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon.
Background: Household food insecurity (HFI) is a serious public health concern in Lebanon. Adverse mental health issues have been reported among food insecure households in addition to physical and nutritional complications. Caregivers in food insecure families tend to adopt different coping mechanisms to mitigate the effects of food insecurity (FI) on their children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
January 2025
Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia.
Introduction: Undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains a leading public health challenge. It accounts for one-third of the under-five mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study applied the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) to assess the prevalence of various standalone and coexisting forms of undernutrition and identify associated risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFItal J Pediatr
January 2025
Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Background: Under-five mortality and malnutrition are more common in many low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the grave consequences of improper nutrition for children. Infants that continue to be exclusively breastfed after six months are considered to be engaging in prolonged exclusive breastfeeding. Children with prolonged exclusive breastfeeding are more susceptible to anemia, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Background: Child malnutrition remains a critical public health problem, with socioeconomic factors playing a significant role. Socioeconomic factors include household income, parental education, and access to healthcare, which influence a child's nutritional status. Despite overall progress in reducing under-five child malnutrition in Kenya, disparities persist.
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