Inclusive fitness theory posits that altruistic behaviors,which are directed more likely towards relatives,should be favored by natural selection.However,the prevalence of alternative parenting behaviors in offspring ...Inclusive fitness theory posits that altruistic behaviors,which are directed more likely towards relatives,should be favored by natural selection.However,the prevalence of alternative parenting behaviors in offspring selection,including rejecting their own offspring and accepting the offspring of others,remains poorly understood within the context of parental care evolution.In order to investigate the factors that prompt the occurrence of alternative parenting behaviors,we designed a series of experiments in the Azure-winged Magpie(Cyanopica cyanus).By manipulating the nest spatial position or offspring age/number and parent-offspring familiarity,we addressed how parents provided parental care for the manipulated offspring.In the nest resettlement experiment,the probability of parents rejecting their own offspring significantly increased with nest-moving distances while decreased with offspring ages.In the cross-fostering experiments,the probability of parents provisioning unrelated young significantly decreased with the age difference between cross-fostered chicks.In the nest duplication experiments,where parents were given a choice between familiar offspring and unfamiliar unrelated chicks or between unfamiliar offspring and familiar unrelated chicks,the probability of both alternative parenting behaviors was significantly influenced by the time when parental association with their offspring was deprived.We conclude that as offspring phenotypic traits become individualized and fixed at a special developmental stage,parents gradually acquire the capacity for offspring recognition by associating with them.Any factors that disrupt parent-offspring association or introduce unrelated young into the nest prior to this critical timeline can result in the occurrence of alternative parenting behaviors.展开更多
Background Organic acids(OA)and maternal nutritional strategies have been demonstrated to promote piglet health and development.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporating OA-preserved ...Background Organic acids(OA)and maternal nutritional strategies have been demonstrated to promote piglet health and development.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporating OA-preserved cereal grains into sow diets during late gestation and lactation,aiming to reduce the metabolic demands of lactation while optimising offspring development and growth until slaughter.The experiment compared OA-preserved wheat and barley to conventionally dried grains,focusing on sow and offspring performance,as well as their faecal microbiota during lactation.Forty sows were blocked based on parity,body weight and back fat thickness on d 100 of gestation and assigned to one of two diets:a dried grain lactation diet and a preserved grain lactation diet.Sow faecal samples were collected at farrowing for the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility(CATTD)of nutrients and microbial analysis.Offspring faecal samples were collected on d 10 postpartum and at weaning(d 26 postpartum)for microbial analysis.Results Sow body weight,back fat changes,gestation and lactation length,total piglets born,wean-to-oestrus interval,and lactation efficiency were unaffected by sow diet(P>0.05).However,sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited improved CATTD of dry matter,nitrogen,gross energy,and neutral detergent fibre(P<0.05).While no maternal effect was observed on offspring growth during lactation(P>0.05),pigs from sows offered the preserved grain diet showed improved growth and feed efficiency from weaning until slaughter(d 168)compared to those from sows offered the dried grain diet(P<0.05).The preserved grain diet also reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria in sow faeces at farrowing and in their offspring on d 10 postpartum,and improved piglet faecal scores throughout lactation(P=0.05).At weaning,piglets from sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited an increased abundance of Lactobacillus and reduced abundance of Alistipes in their faeces(P<0.05).Conclusion OA-preserved grains enhanced the CATTD of nutrients in sows,promoted healthier piglet faecal scores during lactation,and improved offspring growth performance post-weaning,potentially linked to beneficial changes observed in the faecal microbiota of sows and their offspring during lactation.展开更多
Nicotine,ethanol,and caffeine are the most common exogenous substances in the men’s living environment,but their effects on the cartilage quality in the father and offspring have not been reported.According to the av...Nicotine,ethanol,and caffeine are the most common exogenous substances in the men’s living environment,but their effects on the cartilage quality in the father and offspring have not been reported.According to the average daily intake of adult men,we constructed a male rat model of paternal mixed exposure(PME)to low-dose nicotine(0.1 mg/(kg·day)),ethanol(0.5 g/(kg·day)),and caffeine(7.5 mg/(kg·day))for 8 weeks.Then,the male rats mated with normal female rats to obtain offspring.The results showed that PME reduced the cartilage quality of paternal and offspring rats.Among them,the paternal cartilage was damaged by enhancing matrix degradation,while the offspring cartilage was damaged by reducing matrix synthesis.The cartilage damage in male offspring rats was more evident than in female offspring.It was further confirmed that differential GC regulation mechanisms were the main reasons for the intergenerational differential damage of paternal/offspring cartilage quality caused by PME.In addition,the androgen receptor(AR)and estrogen receptor beta(ERβ)mediated the sex difference of PME-induced fetal cartilage dysplasia by affecting the binding degree of GR/P300.This study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for guiding male healthy lifestyle and exploring early prevention and treatment strategies for paternal diseases.展开更多
Theincreasing prevalence of gestational diabetesmellitus(GDM)is associated with an array of pregnancy complications and enduring health challenges in bothmothers and their offspring.Studies have indicated that exposur...Theincreasing prevalence of gestational diabetesmellitus(GDM)is associated with an array of pregnancy complications and enduring health challenges in bothmothers and their offspring.Studies have indicated that exposure to the intrauterine environment can prompt adaptations in the offspring,thereby programming transgenerational inheritance.Physical activity during pregnancy,as a non-pharmacological intervention,mitigates metabolic risks through epigenetic modifications,mediating placental adaptations,the action of exercise factors,and gut microbiota.Here,we provide a review summarizing how regular exercise can reduce the risk of GDM and positively influence pregnancy outcomes.It also discusses the exercise-induced reduction in obesity,insulin resistance,and fatty liver disease in the offspring of GDM,outlining the mechanisms that underpin these health benefits.This review underscores the importance of exercise in safeguarding the health of GDM mothers and their offspring.展开更多
Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development.As a bridge between the mother and ...Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development.As a bridge between the mother and the fetus,the placenta has nutrient transport functions,endocrine functions,etc.,and can regulate placental nutrient transport and fetal growth and development according to maternal metabolic status.Only by means of placental transmission can changes in maternal hyperglycemia affect the fetus.There are many reports on the placental pathophysiological changes associated with GDM,the impacts of GDM on the growth and development of offspring,and the prevalence of GDM in offspring after birth.Placental epigenetic changes in GDM are involved in the programming of fetal development and are involved in the pathogenesis of later chronic diseases.This paper summarizes the effects of changes in placental nutrient transport function and hormone secretion levels due to maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the development of offspring as well as the participation of changes in placental epigenetic modifications due to maternal hyperglycemia in intrauterine fetal programming to promote a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of placental epigenetic modifications on the development of offspring from patients with GDM.展开更多
BACKGROUND Prolonged fetal exposure to hyperglycemia may increase the risk of developing abnormal glucose metabolism and type-2 diabetes during childhood,adolescence,and adulthood;however,the mechanisms by which gesta...BACKGROUND Prolonged fetal exposure to hyperglycemia may increase the risk of developing abnormal glucose metabolism and type-2 diabetes during childhood,adolescence,and adulthood;however,the mechanisms by which gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)predisposes offspring to metabolic disorders remain unknown.AIM To quantify the nerve axons,macrophages,and vasculature in the pancreas from adult offspring born from mouse dams with GDM.METHODS GDM was induced by i.p.administration of streptozotocin(STZ)in ICR mouse dams.At 12 wk old,fasting blood glucose levels were determined in offspring.At 15 wk old,female offspring born from dams with and without GDM were sacrificed and pancreata were processed for immunohistochemistry.We quantified the density of sensory[calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)]and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)axons,blood vessels(endomucin),and macro-phages(CD68)in the splenic pancreas using confocal microscopy.RESULTS Offspring mice born from STZ-treated dams had similar body weight and blood glucose values compared to offspring born from vehicle-treated dams.However,the density of CGRP+and TH+axons,endomucin+blood vessels,and CD68+macrophages in the exocrine pancreas was significantly greater in offspring from mothers with GDM vs control offspring.Likewise,the microvasculature in the islets was significantly greater,but not the number of macrophages within the islets of offspring born from dams with GDM compared to control mice.CONCLUSION GDM induces neuronal,vascular,and inflammatory changes in the pancreas of adult progeny,which may partially explain the higher propensity for offspring of mothers with GDM to develop metabolic diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)women require prenatal care to minimize short-and long-term complications.The mechanism by which exercise during pregnancy affects organ development and whether glucose tra...BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)women require prenatal care to minimize short-and long-term complications.The mechanism by which exercise during pregnancy affects organ development and whether glucose transporter(GLUT)1 plays a role in GDM offspring organ development remains unknown.AIM To determine the effect of exercise during pregnancy on the cardiac,hepatic and renal development of GDM mother’s offspring.METHODS Placenta samples were collected from humans and mice.GDM mouse models were created using streptozotocin along with a GDM with exercise group.The hearts,livers and kidneys of 3-and 8-week-old offspring were collected for body composition analysis and staining.The effects of high glucose levels and hypoxia were investigated using HTR8/SVneo.Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to assess cell migration.Immunofluorescence accompanied with TUNEL and Ki67 staining was used to explore apoptosis and proliferation.RESULTS Exercise during pregnancy downregulated the GLUT1 and hypoxia inducible factor-1αexpression in placenta from individuals with GDM.Cobalt chloride induced hypoxia and high glucose levels also significantly decreased migration and apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells.In addition,exercise reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver and decreased the tubular vacuolar area in the kidneys of offspring.CONCLUSION GDM affects the growth and development of organs in offspring.Exercise during pregnancy can reverse adverse effects of GDM on the development of the heart,liver,and kidney in offspring.展开更多
Maternal sleep deprivation(MSD)has emerged as a significant public health concern,yet its effects on offspring metabolism remain poorly understood.This study investigated the metabolomic implications of MSD on offspri...Maternal sleep deprivation(MSD)has emerged as a significant public health concern,yet its effects on offspring metabolism remain poorly understood.This study investigated the metabolomic implications of MSD on offspring cognitive development,with a particular focus on alterations in glutamate metabolism.Pregnant rats were subjected to sleep deprivation during late gestation.Plasma and brain samples from their offspring were collected at different postnatal days(P1,P7,P14,and P56)and analyzed using untargeted metabolomics with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in various amino acids,including L-glutamate,L-phenylalanine,L-tyrosine,and L-tryptophan,which are crucial for cognitive function.Subsequent differential analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis(sPLS-DA)demonstrated a gradual reduction in these metabolic differences in the brain as the offspring underwent growth and development.KEGG pathway analysis revealed differential regulation of several pathways,including alanine,aspartate,and glutamate metabolism,glutathione metabolism,arginine biosynthesis,aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis,histidine metabolism,and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,at different developmental stages.Mantel and Spearman analyses indicated that the observed changes in metabolites in MSD progeny may be related to various gut microbes,Ruminococcus_1,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005,and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group.Biochemical assays further demonstrated developmental changes in the L-glutamate metabolic pathway.Collectively,these findings suggest that MSD not only affects maternal wellbeing but also has enduring metabolic consequences for offspring,particularly impacting pathways linked to cognitive function.This highlights the importance of addressing maternal sleep health to mitigate potential long-term consequences for offspring.展开更多
BACKGROUND Childhood obesity and fatty liver are associated with adverse outcomes such as diabetes,metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.It is very important to identify relevant risk factors and...BACKGROUND Childhood obesity and fatty liver are associated with adverse outcomes such as diabetes,metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.It is very important to identify relevant risk factors and intervene as early as possible.At present,the relationship between maternal and offspring metabolic factors is conflicting.AIM To estimate the association of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)with overweight/obesity and fatty liver risk in offspring at 8 years of age.METHODS The prospective study included mothers who all had a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 wk of gestation and whose offspring completed follow-up at 8 years of age.Offspring birth weight,sex,height,weight,and body mass index(BMI)were measured and calculated.FibroScan-502 examination with an M probe(Echosens,Paris,France)was prospectively conducted in offspring aged 8 years from the Shanghai Prenatal Cohort Study.RESULTS A total of 430 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis.A total of 62(14.2%)mothers were classified as obese,and 48(11.1%)were classified as having GDM.The mean age of the offspring at follow-up was 8 years old.Thirty-seven(8.6%)offspring were overweight,14(3.3%)had obesity,and 60(14.0%)had fatty liver.The prevalence of overweight,obesity and fatty liver in offspring increased significantly across maternal BMI quartiles(all P<0.05).Among offspring of mothers with GDM,12(25.0%)were overweight,4(8.3%)were obese,and 12(25.0%)had fatty liver vs.25(6.5%),10(2.6%)and 48(12.6%),respectively,for offspring of mothers without GDM(all P<0.05).In multiple logistic regression,after adjustment for variables,the OR for fatty liver in offspring was 8.26(95%CI:2.38-28.75)for maternal obesity and GDM.CONCLUSION This study showed that maternal obesity can increase the odds of overweight/obesity and fatty liver in offspring,and GDM status also increases the odds of overweight/obesity in offspring.Weight management and glycemic control before and during pregnancy need to be highlighted in primary prevention of pediatric obesity and fatty liver.展开更多
The study was carried out to investigate the effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on growth performance, serum indices and fat deposition of offspring. A total of 400 female Arbor Acres （AA） broiler breede...The study was carried out to investigate the effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on growth performance, serum indices and fat deposition of offspring. A total of 400 female Arbor Acres （AA） broiler breeders were studied. These female birds involved three experimental treatments and a control group with normal dietary energy diets （ND, 11.7 MJ of ME. kgt during the laying）. In treatments 2, 3 and 4, the energies of diets were 20%, 30% and 50% （LD20, LD30 and LD50） lower than those of the control, respectively. The study commenced at the beginning of the laying period when the total egg production reached 5% of the flock. All the broiler offspring were fed the same diets. The results showed that in low energy diets, offspring showed decreased 1-day-old weight, but 49-day-old weight was higher in LD20 diet （P〈0.05）. For offspring during days 1-49, the average daily gain （ADG） in LD20 group and the feed conversion ratio in LD50 group were improved as compared with those of the control （P〈0.05）. Compared with the control, abdominal fat percentage increased in 49-day-old offspring from LD30 diet （P〈0.05）; the fat content of breast muscle in offspring increased in broilers fed low energy diets （P〈0.05）. In 28-day-old offspring from breeders given LD20 and LD50 diets, liver fat percentages were higher compared with ND （P〈0.05）. The subcutaneous fat thickness in 28-day-old offspring from LD50 group and 49-day-old offspring from LD30 group was higher （P〈0.05）. On day 49, the serum cholesterol （CHO） of offspring from breeders fed LD20 diet and serum high-density lipoprotein （HDL） of offspring from breeders fed LD50 diet reduced compared with those of the control （P〈0.05）. In addition, a higher triiodothyronine （T3） content in serum was found in offspring from broiler breeders given LD20 and LD30 diets （P〈0.05）. Serum thyroxine （T4） in offspring significantly decreased with the decrease of diet energy （P〈0.05）. In conclusion, to a certain extent, dietary energy restriction in breeders could improve growth performance and promote lipid metabolism of offspring.展开更多
Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） using single sperm isolated from testicular tissue in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, or using ejaculated sperm in those with p...Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） using single sperm isolated from testicular tissue in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, or using ejaculated sperm in those with poor semen quality, there have been concerns that this might have adverse effects on the offspring compared to conventional in vitrofertilisation （IVF） and natural conceptions. ICSI is done for reasons other than male factor infertility, and on the whole has not been shown to have any more negative effects than those seen with IVF. There have however, been very few studies of ICSI with a focus on, or large enough numbers to examine, the specific outcomes associated with male factor infertility. From the limited information available in relation to the source of the sperm and aetiology of infertility in the presence of ICSI, there appears to be no increased risk of congenital malformations. There is, however, a small increase in both de novoand inherited chromosome abnormalities. In terms of growth and neurodevelopment, there are very few studies, and so far, no adverse outcomes have been found in young children whose fathers have a sperm defect. The origin of the sperm used in ICSI does not have a major influence on the early life outcomes for the offspring, but transgenerational and epigenetic effects remain unknown. When the male factor infertility is known or thought to be due to a Y-chromosome deletion, this information should be given to the young male offspring at a time that will ensure his own reproductive health and plans are optimized.展开更多
We used the Chinese skink Eumeces chinensis as a model animal to study the effects of tail loss on reproductive in- vestment and offspring traits. A total of 147 wild-captured adult females were divided into four grou...We used the Chinese skink Eumeces chinensis as a model animal to study the effects of tail loss on reproductive in- vestment and offspring traits. A total of 147 wild-captured adult females were divided into four groups according to their tail con- ditions. Tail breaks occurred most frequently in the proximal portion of the tail and least frequently in the distal portion, with the middle portion in between. This finding suggests that tail breaks occurring in nature often entails substantial energetic costs in E. chinensis where the tail is a major site of energy storage. The proportion of females that laid eggs was higher in females with in- tact or completely regenerated tails than in those with broken tails. Following whole-tail autotomy, the clutch size was reduced by 17%, and the clutch mass was reduced by 14%. Females undergoing substantial tail autotomy reduced reproductive investment, and they did so by reducing the number but not the size of eggs produced. None of the egg and hatchling traits was affected by tail loss. Comparing our data with those reported for other oviparous and viviparous skinks allows us to draw two general conclu- sions： one is that fecundity （clutch or litter size） is affected by tail loss in all species so far studied, whereas offspring size is af- fected by tail loss in some species, but not in others; the other is that the reduction in fecundity following tail loss is more evident in species lacking abdominal fat bodies展开更多
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a serious neurological disease,often resulting in long-term neurodevelopmental disorders among surviving children.However,whether these neurodevelopmental issues can be pass...Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a serious neurological disease,often resulting in long-term neurodevelopmental disorders among surviving children.However,whether these neurodevelopmental issues can be passed to offspring remains unclear.The right common carotid artery of 7-day-old parental-generation rats was subjected to permanent ligation using a vessel electrocoagulator.Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat models were established by subjecting the rats to 8%O2–92%N2 for 2 hours.The results showed that 24 hours after hypoxia and ischemia,pathological damage,cerebral atrophy,liquefaction,and impairment were found,and Zea-Longa scores were significantly increased.The parental-generation rats were propagated at 3 months old,and offspring were obtained.No changes in the overall brain structures of these offspring rats were identified by magnetic resonance imaging.However,the escape latency was longer and the number of platform crossings was reduced among these offspring compared with normal rats.These results indicated that the offspring of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy model rats displayed cognitive impairments in learning and memory.This study was approved by the Animal Care&Welfare Committee of Kunming Medical University,China in 2018(approval No.kmmu2019072).展开更多
Studies in animals indicate that sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy has harmful effects on the learning and memory of offspring.Whether an enriched environment can reverse the damage of sevoflur...Studies in animals indicate that sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy has harmful effects on the learning and memory of offspring.Whether an enriched environment can reverse the damage of sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy on the learning and memory of rat offspring remains unclear.In this study,rats at 14 days of pregnancy were exposed to 3.5%sevoflurane for 2 hours and their offspring were treated with an enriched environment for 20 successive days.We found that the enriched environment for offspring increased nestin and Ki67 levels in hippocampal tissue,increased hippocampal neurogenesis,inhibited glycogen synthase kinase 3βactivity,and increased the expression of cell proliferation-relatedβ-catenin and apoptosis-related Bcl-2,indicating that an enriched environment reduces sevoflurane-induced damage by increasing the proliferation of stem cells in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that an enriched environment can reverse the effects of sevoflurane inhaled by rats during the second trimester of pregnancy on learning and memory of offspring.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(approval No.2018PS07K)on January 2,2018.展开更多
Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low diet...Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.展开更多
Although paternal ethanol （EtOH） abuse has been shown to affect the growth and behavior of offspring, the exact molecular and mechanistic basis remains largely unclear. Methylation alterations in imprinted genes may...Although paternal ethanol （EtOH） abuse has been shown to affect the growth and behavior of offspring, the exact molecular and mechanistic basis remains largely unclear. Methylation alterations in imprinted genes may be related to well-documented teratogenic effects of ethanol. Here we show that chronic paternal ethanol exposure increases the susceptibility to abnormal behavior in offspring through male game epigenetic alteration. In our study, different doses of ethanol （0, 1,1, 3.3 g kg^-1） were administered intra-gastrically to male mice and decreased sperm motility was found in the highest ethanol-exposed group compared with the controls. Data also showed a dose-dependent increase in deaf mice of the paternally ethanol-exposed groups. The methylation of H19, Peg3, Ndn and Snrpn was assessed in paternal spermatozoa and in the cerebral cortices of deaf mice. EtOH affected methylation of Peg3 （CpG 3, 7 and 9） in paternal spermatozoa and in the cerebral cortices of deaf mice, but the level of mRNA expression did not change, suggesting that other gene regulation may be involved in these processes. Overall, chronic paternal ethanol exposure could alter the methylation of imprinted genes in sire spermatozoa that could also be passed on to offspring, giving rise to developmental disorders. Our results provide possible epigenetic evidence for a paternal ethanol exposure contribution to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome （FAS）.展开更多
Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pre...Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation （LTP）. Nitric oxide （NO）, content, nitric oxide synthase （NOS）, acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in serum were determined. The latency period （the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position） and errors （the number of mice entering the blind end） in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days. Results The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke （TS）, and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups （P〈O.05）. LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group （P〈0.05）. Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP. Conclusion Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS （especially vitamin E） partially improve the learning and memory smoke during pregnancy. and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco展开更多
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is strongly associated with metabolic deregulation.More recently,a significant impact of parental NAFLD in the offspring w...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is strongly associated with metabolic deregulation.More recently,a significant impact of parental NAFLD in the offspring was demonstrated and has been widely discussed.However,pathogenetic pathways implicated in the inheritance by the offspring and relatives are still under debate.Probably,multiple mechanisms are involved as well as in NAFLD pathogenesis itself.Among the multifactorial involved mechanisms,genetic,epigenetic and environmental backgrounds are strongly related to NAFLD development in the offspring.Thus,based on recent evidence from the available literature concerning genetic,epigenetic and environmental disease modifiers,this review aimed to discuss the relationship between parental NAFLD and its impact on the offspring.展开更多
Mild intrauterine hypoperfusion(MIUH)is a serious pathological event that affects the growth and development of fetuses and offspring.MIUH can lead to growth restriction,low birth weight,neurodevelopmental disorders,a...Mild intrauterine hypoperfusion(MIUH)is a serious pathological event that affects the growth and development of fetuses and offspring.MIUH can lead to growth restriction,low birth weight,neurodevelopmental disorders,and other adverse clinical outcomes.To study the effects of MIUH on learning and memory function in offspring,a model of MIUH was established by placing a coil(length 2.5 mm,diameter 0.24 mm)on the uterine artery and ovarian uterine artery of Sprague-Dawley rats in the second trimester of pregnancy(day 17).Next,120 mg/kg lithium chloride(the MIUH+Li group)or normal saline(the MIUH group)was injected intraperitoneally into these rats.In addition,120 mg/kg lithium chloride(the Li group)or normal saline(the SHAM group)was injected intraperitoneally into pregnant rats without coil placement.The Morris water maze was used to detect changes in learning and memory ability in the offspring at 4 weeks after birth.In the MIUH group,the escape latency and journey length before reaching the platform were both increased,and the number of times that the platform was crossed and the activity time in the target quadrant within 90 seconds were both decreased compared with the SHAM group.Immunofluorescence double staining and western blot assays demonstrated that hippocampal nestin and Ki67(both cell-proliferation-related proteins)expression was significantly downregulated in the MIUH group compared with the SHAM group.Furthermore,western blot assays were conducted to investigate changes in related signaling pathway proteins in the brains of offspring rats,and revealed that glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)expression was upregulated andβ-catenin expression was downregulated in the MIUH group compared with the SHAM group.In addition,compared with the MIUH group,the expression levels of p-GSK3βandβ-catenin were upregulated in the MIUH+Li group.These results suggest that MIUH may affect learning and memory function in rat offspring by regulating the GSK3βsignaling pathway.The experimental procedures were approved by Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(approval No.2018 PS07 K)in June 2018.展开更多
Background： Zearalenone （ZEN） is an estrogenic mycotoxin that is primarily produced by Fusarium fungi and has been proven to affect the reproductive capacity of many species to varying degrees. The present experime...Background： Zearalenone （ZEN） is an estrogenic mycotoxin that is primarily produced by Fusarium fungi and has been proven to affect the reproductive capacity of many species to varying degrees. The present experiment was designed to study the maternal persistent effects of zearalenone toxicity in gestating sows on growth and muscle development of their offsprings, and the alleviation of zearalenone toxicity by modified halloysite nanotubes （MHNTs）. Methods： Eighteen sows were fed with one of three dietary treatments that included the following： （1） a control diet, （2） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.77 mg/kg ZEN）, and （3） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.76 mg/kg ZEN） ＋ 1% MHNTs. Each sow was exclusively fed its experimental diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation at a total of 2 kg daily. Muscle samples were collected from six piglets per treatment at birth, weaning and finishing. Results： The results showed that feeding the sows with the ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation decreased the ADG, ADFI and G：F of their offsprings （P 〈 0.05）. The muscle fiber numbers in the newborn, weaning and growing-finishing pigs and the muscle fiber diameters at birth and weaning were also decreased by maternal ZEN exposure （P 〈 0.05）. The expressions of IGF-I, IGF-II, Myf-5 and Mstn at birth and IGF-II, Pax7, Myf-5 and MyoD1 at weaning were altered by feeding gestating sows with ZEN-contaminated diets （P 〈 0.05）. The MHNTs reduced most of the ZEN-induced toxic effects： the ADG and ADFI on growth performance, the muscle fiber numbers at weaning and finishing and the muscle fiber diameters at weaning （P 〈 0.05）. The expression levels of IGF-II and Mstn in newborn piglets and IGF-II and Myf-5 in weaning piglets were also prevented by adding 1% MHNTs （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： The present study demonstrated that the offsprings of sows fed with ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 day of gestation exhibited weakening on growth performance, physiological changes in their muscle fibers and alterations of mRNA expression in their muscle tissues, and also indicated that MHNTs prevented most of the ZEN- induced weakening in the muscle tissues.展开更多
基金provided by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (Grant 32071491,31772465,31672299,31572271,and 32260128)。
文摘Inclusive fitness theory posits that altruistic behaviors,which are directed more likely towards relatives,should be favored by natural selection.However,the prevalence of alternative parenting behaviors in offspring selection,including rejecting their own offspring and accepting the offspring of others,remains poorly understood within the context of parental care evolution.In order to investigate the factors that prompt the occurrence of alternative parenting behaviors,we designed a series of experiments in the Azure-winged Magpie(Cyanopica cyanus).By manipulating the nest spatial position or offspring age/number and parent-offspring familiarity,we addressed how parents provided parental care for the manipulated offspring.In the nest resettlement experiment,the probability of parents rejecting their own offspring significantly increased with nest-moving distances while decreased with offspring ages.In the cross-fostering experiments,the probability of parents provisioning unrelated young significantly decreased with the age difference between cross-fostered chicks.In the nest duplication experiments,where parents were given a choice between familiar offspring and unfamiliar unrelated chicks or between unfamiliar offspring and familiar unrelated chicks,the probability of both alternative parenting behaviors was significantly influenced by the time when parental association with their offspring was deprived.We conclude that as offspring phenotypic traits become individualized and fixed at a special developmental stage,parents gradually acquire the capacity for offspring recognition by associating with them.Any factors that disrupt parent-offspring association or introduce unrelated young into the nest prior to this critical timeline can result in the occurrence of alternative parenting behaviors.
基金funded by the Science Foundation Ireland(BiOrbic,Dublin,Ireland)and Adesco Nutricines(Dungarvan,Waterford,Ireland)under grant number 16/RC/3889。
文摘Background Organic acids(OA)and maternal nutritional strategies have been demonstrated to promote piglet health and development.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporating OA-preserved cereal grains into sow diets during late gestation and lactation,aiming to reduce the metabolic demands of lactation while optimising offspring development and growth until slaughter.The experiment compared OA-preserved wheat and barley to conventionally dried grains,focusing on sow and offspring performance,as well as their faecal microbiota during lactation.Forty sows were blocked based on parity,body weight and back fat thickness on d 100 of gestation and assigned to one of two diets:a dried grain lactation diet and a preserved grain lactation diet.Sow faecal samples were collected at farrowing for the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility(CATTD)of nutrients and microbial analysis.Offspring faecal samples were collected on d 10 postpartum and at weaning(d 26 postpartum)for microbial analysis.Results Sow body weight,back fat changes,gestation and lactation length,total piglets born,wean-to-oestrus interval,and lactation efficiency were unaffected by sow diet(P>0.05).However,sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited improved CATTD of dry matter,nitrogen,gross energy,and neutral detergent fibre(P<0.05).While no maternal effect was observed on offspring growth during lactation(P>0.05),pigs from sows offered the preserved grain diet showed improved growth and feed efficiency from weaning until slaughter(d 168)compared to those from sows offered the dried grain diet(P<0.05).The preserved grain diet also reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria in sow faeces at farrowing and in their offspring on d 10 postpartum,and improved piglet faecal scores throughout lactation(P=0.05).At weaning,piglets from sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited an increased abundance of Lactobacillus and reduced abundance of Alistipes in their faeces(P<0.05).Conclusion OA-preserved grains enhanced the CATTD of nutrients in sows,promoted healthier piglet faecal scores during lactation,and improved offspring growth performance post-weaning,potentially linked to beneficial changes observed in the faecal microbiota of sows and their offspring during lactation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20362,U23A20407,82030111,82104301)Hubei Province’s Outstanding Medical Academic Leader program.
文摘Nicotine,ethanol,and caffeine are the most common exogenous substances in the men’s living environment,but their effects on the cartilage quality in the father and offspring have not been reported.According to the average daily intake of adult men,we constructed a male rat model of paternal mixed exposure(PME)to low-dose nicotine(0.1 mg/(kg·day)),ethanol(0.5 g/(kg·day)),and caffeine(7.5 mg/(kg·day))for 8 weeks.Then,the male rats mated with normal female rats to obtain offspring.The results showed that PME reduced the cartilage quality of paternal and offspring rats.Among them,the paternal cartilage was damaged by enhancing matrix degradation,while the offspring cartilage was damaged by reducing matrix synthesis.The cartilage damage in male offspring rats was more evident than in female offspring.It was further confirmed that differential GC regulation mechanisms were the main reasons for the intergenerational differential damage of paternal/offspring cartilage quality caused by PME.In addition,the androgen receptor(AR)and estrogen receptor beta(ERβ)mediated the sex difference of PME-induced fetal cartilage dysplasia by affecting the binding degree of GR/P300.This study provided a theoretical and experimental basis for guiding male healthy lifestyle and exploring early prevention and treatment strategies for paternal diseases.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.82401994)the Top Medical Expert Team of the Wuxi Taihu Talent Plan(Grant Nos.DJTD202106,GDTD202105)+1 种基金the Medical Key Discipline Program of theWuxi Health Commission(Grant Nos.ZDXK2021007,CXTD2021005)Top Talent Support Program for Young and Middle-Aged People of Wuxi Health Committee(Grant No.HB2023079).
文摘Theincreasing prevalence of gestational diabetesmellitus(GDM)is associated with an array of pregnancy complications and enduring health challenges in bothmothers and their offspring.Studies have indicated that exposure to the intrauterine environment can prompt adaptations in the offspring,thereby programming transgenerational inheritance.Physical activity during pregnancy,as a non-pharmacological intervention,mitigates metabolic risks through epigenetic modifications,mediating placental adaptations,the action of exercise factors,and gut microbiota.Here,we provide a review summarizing how regular exercise can reduce the risk of GDM and positively influence pregnancy outcomes.It also discusses the exercise-induced reduction in obesity,insulin resistance,and fatty liver disease in the offspring of GDM,outlining the mechanisms that underpin these health benefits.This review underscores the importance of exercise in safeguarding the health of GDM mothers and their offspring.
文摘Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development.As a bridge between the mother and the fetus,the placenta has nutrient transport functions,endocrine functions,etc.,and can regulate placental nutrient transport and fetal growth and development according to maternal metabolic status.Only by means of placental transmission can changes in maternal hyperglycemia affect the fetus.There are many reports on the placental pathophysiological changes associated with GDM,the impacts of GDM on the growth and development of offspring,and the prevalence of GDM in offspring after birth.Placental epigenetic changes in GDM are involved in the programming of fetal development and are involved in the pathogenesis of later chronic diseases.This paper summarizes the effects of changes in placental nutrient transport function and hormone secretion levels due to maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the development of offspring as well as the participation of changes in placental epigenetic modifications due to maternal hyperglycemia in intrauterine fetal programming to promote a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of placental epigenetic modifications on the development of offspring from patients with GDM.
基金Supported by the National Council for Humanities,Science and Technology of Mexico CONAHCyT,No.CB/2017-2018/A1-S-27869.
文摘BACKGROUND Prolonged fetal exposure to hyperglycemia may increase the risk of developing abnormal glucose metabolism and type-2 diabetes during childhood,adolescence,and adulthood;however,the mechanisms by which gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)predisposes offspring to metabolic disorders remain unknown.AIM To quantify the nerve axons,macrophages,and vasculature in the pancreas from adult offspring born from mouse dams with GDM.METHODS GDM was induced by i.p.administration of streptozotocin(STZ)in ICR mouse dams.At 12 wk old,fasting blood glucose levels were determined in offspring.At 15 wk old,female offspring born from dams with and without GDM were sacrificed and pancreata were processed for immunohistochemistry.We quantified the density of sensory[calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)]and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)axons,blood vessels(endomucin),and macro-phages(CD68)in the splenic pancreas using confocal microscopy.RESULTS Offspring mice born from STZ-treated dams had similar body weight and blood glucose values compared to offspring born from vehicle-treated dams.However,the density of CGRP+and TH+axons,endomucin+blood vessels,and CD68+macrophages in the exocrine pancreas was significantly greater in offspring from mothers with GDM vs control offspring.Likewise,the microvasculature in the islets was significantly greater,but not the number of macrophages within the islets of offspring born from dams with GDM compared to control mice.CONCLUSION GDM induces neuronal,vascular,and inflammatory changes in the pancreas of adult progeny,which may partially explain the higher propensity for offspring of mothers with GDM to develop metabolic diseases.
基金Supported by Key R and D Program of Zhejiang Province,No.2022C03058Medical and Health Technology Program of Zhejiang Province,No.WKJ-ZJ-2324and 4+X Clinical Research Project of Women's Hospital,School of Medicine,Zhejiang University,No.ZDFY2022-4XB101.
文摘BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)women require prenatal care to minimize short-and long-term complications.The mechanism by which exercise during pregnancy affects organ development and whether glucose transporter(GLUT)1 plays a role in GDM offspring organ development remains unknown.AIM To determine the effect of exercise during pregnancy on the cardiac,hepatic and renal development of GDM mother’s offspring.METHODS Placenta samples were collected from humans and mice.GDM mouse models were created using streptozotocin along with a GDM with exercise group.The hearts,livers and kidneys of 3-and 8-week-old offspring were collected for body composition analysis and staining.The effects of high glucose levels and hypoxia were investigated using HTR8/SVneo.Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to assess cell migration.Immunofluorescence accompanied with TUNEL and Ki67 staining was used to explore apoptosis and proliferation.RESULTS Exercise during pregnancy downregulated the GLUT1 and hypoxia inducible factor-1αexpression in placenta from individuals with GDM.Cobalt chloride induced hypoxia and high glucose levels also significantly decreased migration and apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells.In addition,exercise reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver and decreased the tubular vacuolar area in the kidneys of offspring.CONCLUSION GDM affects the growth and development of organs in offspring.Exercise during pregnancy can reverse adverse effects of GDM on the development of the heart,liver,and kidney in offspring.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371030,82071395)Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(CSTB2024NSCQ-LZX0008)+1 种基金Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission(KJQN202300424)CQMU Program for Youth Innovation in Future Medicine(W0044)。
文摘Maternal sleep deprivation(MSD)has emerged as a significant public health concern,yet its effects on offspring metabolism remain poorly understood.This study investigated the metabolomic implications of MSD on offspring cognitive development,with a particular focus on alterations in glutamate metabolism.Pregnant rats were subjected to sleep deprivation during late gestation.Plasma and brain samples from their offspring were collected at different postnatal days(P1,P7,P14,and P56)and analyzed using untargeted metabolomics with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in various amino acids,including L-glutamate,L-phenylalanine,L-tyrosine,and L-tryptophan,which are crucial for cognitive function.Subsequent differential analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis(sPLS-DA)demonstrated a gradual reduction in these metabolic differences in the brain as the offspring underwent growth and development.KEGG pathway analysis revealed differential regulation of several pathways,including alanine,aspartate,and glutamate metabolism,glutathione metabolism,arginine biosynthesis,aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis,histidine metabolism,and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,at different developmental stages.Mantel and Spearman analyses indicated that the observed changes in metabolites in MSD progeny may be related to various gut microbes,Ruminococcus_1,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005,and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group.Biochemical assays further demonstrated developmental changes in the L-glutamate metabolic pathway.Collectively,these findings suggest that MSD not only affects maternal wellbeing but also has enduring metabolic consequences for offspring,particularly impacting pathways linked to cognitive function.This highlights the importance of addressing maternal sleep health to mitigate potential long-term consequences for offspring.
基金Supported by Collaborative Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, No. 2020CXJQ01National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81873565 and No. 82100605+3 种基金SJTU Trans-med Awards Research, No. 20190104Star Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. YG2021QN54WBE Liver Fibrosis Foundation, No. CFHPC2020061Hospital Funded Clinical Research, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 17CSK04 and No. 15LC06
文摘BACKGROUND Childhood obesity and fatty liver are associated with adverse outcomes such as diabetes,metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.It is very important to identify relevant risk factors and intervene as early as possible.At present,the relationship between maternal and offspring metabolic factors is conflicting.AIM To estimate the association of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)with overweight/obesity and fatty liver risk in offspring at 8 years of age.METHODS The prospective study included mothers who all had a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 wk of gestation and whose offspring completed follow-up at 8 years of age.Offspring birth weight,sex,height,weight,and body mass index(BMI)were measured and calculated.FibroScan-502 examination with an M probe(Echosens,Paris,France)was prospectively conducted in offspring aged 8 years from the Shanghai Prenatal Cohort Study.RESULTS A total of 430 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis.A total of 62(14.2%)mothers were classified as obese,and 48(11.1%)were classified as having GDM.The mean age of the offspring at follow-up was 8 years old.Thirty-seven(8.6%)offspring were overweight,14(3.3%)had obesity,and 60(14.0%)had fatty liver.The prevalence of overweight,obesity and fatty liver in offspring increased significantly across maternal BMI quartiles(all P<0.05).Among offspring of mothers with GDM,12(25.0%)were overweight,4(8.3%)were obese,and 12(25.0%)had fatty liver vs.25(6.5%),10(2.6%)and 48(12.6%),respectively,for offspring of mothers without GDM(all P<0.05).In multiple logistic regression,after adjustment for variables,the OR for fatty liver in offspring was 8.26(95%CI:2.38-28.75)for maternal obesity and GDM.CONCLUSION This study showed that maternal obesity can increase the odds of overweight/obesity and fatty liver in offspring,and GDM status also increases the odds of overweight/obesity in offspring.Weight management and glycemic control before and during pregnancy need to be highlighted in primary prevention of pediatric obesity and fatty liver.
基金Supported by the Education Department Research Program of Heilongjiang Province(12531036)Doctor Science Foundation of Northeast Agricultural University(2009RC28)
文摘The study was carried out to investigate the effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on growth performance, serum indices and fat deposition of offspring. A total of 400 female Arbor Acres （AA） broiler breeders were studied. These female birds involved three experimental treatments and a control group with normal dietary energy diets （ND, 11.7 MJ of ME. kgt during the laying）. In treatments 2, 3 and 4, the energies of diets were 20%, 30% and 50% （LD20, LD30 and LD50） lower than those of the control, respectively. The study commenced at the beginning of the laying period when the total egg production reached 5% of the flock. All the broiler offspring were fed the same diets. The results showed that in low energy diets, offspring showed decreased 1-day-old weight, but 49-day-old weight was higher in LD20 diet （P〈0.05）. For offspring during days 1-49, the average daily gain （ADG） in LD20 group and the feed conversion ratio in LD50 group were improved as compared with those of the control （P〈0.05）. Compared with the control, abdominal fat percentage increased in 49-day-old offspring from LD30 diet （P〈0.05）; the fat content of breast muscle in offspring increased in broilers fed low energy diets （P〈0.05）. In 28-day-old offspring from breeders given LD20 and LD50 diets, liver fat percentages were higher compared with ND （P〈0.05）. The subcutaneous fat thickness in 28-day-old offspring from LD50 group and 49-day-old offspring from LD30 group was higher （P〈0.05）. On day 49, the serum cholesterol （CHO） of offspring from breeders fed LD20 diet and serum high-density lipoprotein （HDL） of offspring from breeders fed LD50 diet reduced compared with those of the control （P〈0.05）. In addition, a higher triiodothyronine （T3） content in serum was found in offspring from broiler breeders given LD20 and LD30 diets （P〈0.05）. Serum thyroxine （T4） in offspring significantly decreased with the decrease of diet energy （P〈0.05）. In conclusion, to a certain extent, dietary energy restriction in breeders could improve growth performance and promote lipid metabolism of offspring.
文摘Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） using single sperm isolated from testicular tissue in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, or using ejaculated sperm in those with poor semen quality, there have been concerns that this might have adverse effects on the offspring compared to conventional in vitrofertilisation （IVF） and natural conceptions. ICSI is done for reasons other than male factor infertility, and on the whole has not been shown to have any more negative effects than those seen with IVF. There have however, been very few studies of ICSI with a focus on, or large enough numbers to examine, the specific outcomes associated with male factor infertility. From the limited information available in relation to the source of the sperm and aetiology of infertility in the presence of ICSI, there appears to be no increased risk of congenital malformations. There is, however, a small increase in both de novoand inherited chromosome abnormalities. In terms of growth and neurodevelopment, there are very few studies, and so far, no adverse outcomes have been found in young children whose fathers have a sperm defect. The origin of the sperm used in ICSI does not have a major influence on the early life outcomes for the offspring, but transgenerational and epigenetic effects remain unknown. When the male factor infertility is known or thought to be due to a Y-chromosome deletion, this information should be given to the young male offspring at a time that will ensure his own reproductive health and plans are optimized.
基金Acknowledgments This study was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation of China （Project No. 30670281） and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education （Project No. Y200908723）. We thank Lai-Gao Luo, Long-Hui Lin, Yan-Fu Qu, Xi-Dong Zhang, Hong Li and Hong-Xia Liu for their help during the research.
文摘We used the Chinese skink Eumeces chinensis as a model animal to study the effects of tail loss on reproductive in- vestment and offspring traits. A total of 147 wild-captured adult females were divided into four groups according to their tail con- ditions. Tail breaks occurred most frequently in the proximal portion of the tail and least frequently in the distal portion, with the middle portion in between. This finding suggests that tail breaks occurring in nature often entails substantial energetic costs in E. chinensis where the tail is a major site of energy storage. The proportion of females that laid eggs was higher in females with in- tact or completely regenerated tails than in those with broken tails. Following whole-tail autotomy, the clutch size was reduced by 17%, and the clutch mass was reduced by 14%. Females undergoing substantial tail autotomy reduced reproductive investment, and they did so by reducing the number but not the size of eggs produced. None of the egg and hatchling traits was affected by tail loss. Comparing our data with those reported for other oviparous and viviparous skinks allows us to draw two general conclu- sions： one is that fecundity （clutch or litter size） is affected by tail loss in all species so far studied, whereas offspring size is af- fected by tail loss in some species, but not in others; the other is that the reduction in fecundity following tail loss is more evident in species lacking abdominal fat bodies
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81560215(FW)the Innovative Research Team Program of Science and Technology in Yunnan Province of China,No.2017HC007
文摘Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a serious neurological disease,often resulting in long-term neurodevelopmental disorders among surviving children.However,whether these neurodevelopmental issues can be passed to offspring remains unclear.The right common carotid artery of 7-day-old parental-generation rats was subjected to permanent ligation using a vessel electrocoagulator.Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat models were established by subjecting the rats to 8%O2–92%N2 for 2 hours.The results showed that 24 hours after hypoxia and ischemia,pathological damage,cerebral atrophy,liquefaction,and impairment were found,and Zea-Longa scores were significantly increased.The parental-generation rats were propagated at 3 months old,and offspring were obtained.No changes in the overall brain structures of these offspring rats were identified by magnetic resonance imaging.However,the escape latency was longer and the number of platform crossings was reduced among these offspring compared with normal rats.These results indicated that the offspring of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy model rats displayed cognitive impairments in learning and memory.This study was approved by the Animal Care&Welfare Committee of Kunming Medical University,China in 2018(approval No.kmmu2019072).
文摘Studies in animals indicate that sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy has harmful effects on the learning and memory of offspring.Whether an enriched environment can reverse the damage of sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy on the learning and memory of rat offspring remains unclear.In this study,rats at 14 days of pregnancy were exposed to 3.5%sevoflurane for 2 hours and their offspring were treated with an enriched environment for 20 successive days.We found that the enriched environment for offspring increased nestin and Ki67 levels in hippocampal tissue,increased hippocampal neurogenesis,inhibited glycogen synthase kinase 3βactivity,and increased the expression of cell proliferation-relatedβ-catenin and apoptosis-related Bcl-2,indicating that an enriched environment reduces sevoflurane-induced damage by increasing the proliferation of stem cells in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that an enriched environment can reverse the effects of sevoflurane inhaled by rats during the second trimester of pregnancy on learning and memory of offspring.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(approval No.2018PS07K)on January 2,2018.
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30170681)the Foundation of Henan Institute of Science and Technology, China(6007)
文摘Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.
文摘Although paternal ethanol （EtOH） abuse has been shown to affect the growth and behavior of offspring, the exact molecular and mechanistic basis remains largely unclear. Methylation alterations in imprinted genes may be related to well-documented teratogenic effects of ethanol. Here we show that chronic paternal ethanol exposure increases the susceptibility to abnormal behavior in offspring through male game epigenetic alteration. In our study, different doses of ethanol （0, 1,1, 3.3 g kg^-1） were administered intra-gastrically to male mice and decreased sperm motility was found in the highest ethanol-exposed group compared with the controls. Data also showed a dose-dependent increase in deaf mice of the paternally ethanol-exposed groups. The methylation of H19, Peg3, Ndn and Snrpn was assessed in paternal spermatozoa and in the cerebral cortices of deaf mice. EtOH affected methylation of Peg3 （CpG 3, 7 and 9） in paternal spermatozoa and in the cerebral cortices of deaf mice, but the level of mRNA expression did not change, suggesting that other gene regulation may be involved in these processes. Overall, chronic paternal ethanol exposure could alter the methylation of imprinted genes in sire spermatozoa that could also be passed on to offspring, giving rise to developmental disorders. Our results provide possible epigenetic evidence for a paternal ethanol exposure contribution to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome （FAS）.
文摘Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation （LTP）. Nitric oxide （NO）, content, nitric oxide synthase （NOS）, acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in serum were determined. The latency period （the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position） and errors （the number of mice entering the blind end） in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days. Results The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke （TS）, and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups （P〈O.05）. LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group （P〈0.05）. Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP. Conclusion Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS （especially vitamin E） partially improve the learning and memory smoke during pregnancy. and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and is strongly associated with metabolic deregulation.More recently,a significant impact of parental NAFLD in the offspring was demonstrated and has been widely discussed.However,pathogenetic pathways implicated in the inheritance by the offspring and relatives are still under debate.Probably,multiple mechanisms are involved as well as in NAFLD pathogenesis itself.Among the multifactorial involved mechanisms,genetic,epigenetic and environmental backgrounds are strongly related to NAFLD development in the offspring.Thus,based on recent evidence from the available literature concerning genetic,epigenetic and environmental disease modifiers,this review aimed to discuss the relationship between parental NAFLD and its impact on the offspring.
基金supported by the National Key Research&Department Program of China,No.2018YFC1002902(to CXL)。
文摘Mild intrauterine hypoperfusion(MIUH)is a serious pathological event that affects the growth and development of fetuses and offspring.MIUH can lead to growth restriction,low birth weight,neurodevelopmental disorders,and other adverse clinical outcomes.To study the effects of MIUH on learning and memory function in offspring,a model of MIUH was established by placing a coil(length 2.5 mm,diameter 0.24 mm)on the uterine artery and ovarian uterine artery of Sprague-Dawley rats in the second trimester of pregnancy(day 17).Next,120 mg/kg lithium chloride(the MIUH+Li group)or normal saline(the MIUH group)was injected intraperitoneally into these rats.In addition,120 mg/kg lithium chloride(the Li group)or normal saline(the SHAM group)was injected intraperitoneally into pregnant rats without coil placement.The Morris water maze was used to detect changes in learning and memory ability in the offspring at 4 weeks after birth.In the MIUH group,the escape latency and journey length before reaching the platform were both increased,and the number of times that the platform was crossed and the activity time in the target quadrant within 90 seconds were both decreased compared with the SHAM group.Immunofluorescence double staining and western blot assays demonstrated that hippocampal nestin and Ki67(both cell-proliferation-related proteins)expression was significantly downregulated in the MIUH group compared with the SHAM group.Furthermore,western blot assays were conducted to investigate changes in related signaling pathway proteins in the brains of offspring rats,and revealed that glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β)expression was upregulated andβ-catenin expression was downregulated in the MIUH group compared with the SHAM group.In addition,compared with the MIUH group,the expression levels of p-GSK3βandβ-catenin were upregulated in the MIUH+Li group.These results suggest that MIUH may affect learning and memory function in rat offspring by regulating the GSK3βsignaling pathway.The experimental procedures were approved by Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(approval No.2018 PS07 K)in June 2018.
基金supported by National Basic Research Program (2012CB124703)the China Agriculture Research System (CARS-36)Program for Innovative Research Team of Universities in Heilongjiang Province (2012TD003)
文摘Background： Zearalenone （ZEN） is an estrogenic mycotoxin that is primarily produced by Fusarium fungi and has been proven to affect the reproductive capacity of many species to varying degrees. The present experiment was designed to study the maternal persistent effects of zearalenone toxicity in gestating sows on growth and muscle development of their offsprings, and the alleviation of zearalenone toxicity by modified halloysite nanotubes （MHNTs）. Methods： Eighteen sows were fed with one of three dietary treatments that included the following： （1） a control diet, （2） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.77 mg/kg ZEN）, and （3） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.76 mg/kg ZEN） ＋ 1% MHNTs. Each sow was exclusively fed its experimental diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation at a total of 2 kg daily. Muscle samples were collected from six piglets per treatment at birth, weaning and finishing. Results： The results showed that feeding the sows with the ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation decreased the ADG, ADFI and G：F of their offsprings （P 〈 0.05）. The muscle fiber numbers in the newborn, weaning and growing-finishing pigs and the muscle fiber diameters at birth and weaning were also decreased by maternal ZEN exposure （P 〈 0.05）. The expressions of IGF-I, IGF-II, Myf-5 and Mstn at birth and IGF-II, Pax7, Myf-5 and MyoD1 at weaning were altered by feeding gestating sows with ZEN-contaminated diets （P 〈 0.05）. The MHNTs reduced most of the ZEN-induced toxic effects： the ADG and ADFI on growth performance, the muscle fiber numbers at weaning and finishing and the muscle fiber diameters at weaning （P 〈 0.05）. The expression levels of IGF-II and Mstn in newborn piglets and IGF-II and Myf-5 in weaning piglets were also prevented by adding 1% MHNTs （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： The present study demonstrated that the offsprings of sows fed with ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 day of gestation exhibited weakening on growth performance, physiological changes in their muscle fibers and alterations of mRNA expression in their muscle tissues, and also indicated that MHNTs prevented most of the ZEN- induced weakening in the muscle tissues.
