The interaction between the embryo and fetus with the maternal environment can have both short- and long-term consequences on health and development after birth. In some cases, these changes may be detrimental to the individual, but in other cases these developmental changes may be beneficial and manipulated to produce desired effects. Our interest is to use this concept of fetal programming to improve skeletal muscle development and meat production in ruminants. To achieve this, we targeted the period of gestation when fetal muscle fiber formation occurs. Primary muscle fibers form during embryonic development, and it is this small number of primary muscle fibers that will serve as templates for secondary fiber formation that occurs in the fetus during mid-gestation. Supplementing amino acids that influence blood flow within the reproductive tract is one potential way to provide fetuses with added nutrients during gestation, and this supplementation strategy may be especially useful when the maternal diet is compromised. L-citrulline was chosen for this work because of its long half-life in maternal circulation. This work utilized twin-bearing ewes with a moderate dietary energy restriction to assess the effects of mid-gestational L-citrulline supplementation on umbilical blood flow, placental function, neonatal lamb size, and lamb performance. We hypothesize that i.v. administration of L-citrulline will increase uterine and placental blood flow in gestating ewes and this will improve fetal growth, development, and overall postnatal performance. Blood flow parameters were not influenced by treatment (P>0.05). Circulating levels of progesterone and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) were used as indicators of placental function and were unaffected by treatment administration (P>0.05). A treatment by time interaction was detected in both analyses, but no differences between treatments were detected within any time points. There was no effect of treatment on lamb weights or survival to weaning (P>0.05). Lamb sex effects are absent with the exception that body weights were greater in ewe lambs (P>0.05). There was no effect of treatment on any carcass traits or visceral organ weights assessed, though there was an effect of sex on dressing percentage and pancreas weight with wethers having a greater dressing percentage and heavier pancreases per kg body weight than that of ewes (P<0.05). In summary, contrary to our hypothesis L-citrulline supplementation to pregnant ewes under a minor to moderate metabolic challenge had no impact on blood flow and provided no programming benefit to the lambs. / Master of Science / The global population continues to grow, along with the consumption of animal protein. This can be met with increasing the numbers of animals within our food production systems, however, there is also increasing pressure for livestock production systems to produce more while utilizing less space and resources. And simultaneously, we face growing concerns about climate change, its impacts on agriculture, and the role of agriculture in both the cause and any future solution. To combat both these issues, the efficiency of our livestock systems needs to improve with each individual animal becoming much more efficient. This increase in efficiency can occur in many ways including reproductive efficiency, feed efficiency, and in overall producing more meat per individual. The improvement in efficiency of an animal can begin in the womb. Livestock in meat production spend 35-40% of their life within the uterus being nourished by their mother. The interactions the embryo and fetus have with the maternal environment during this time can have both short- and long-term impacts on health and development after birth. In some cases, these changes may be detrimental to the individual, but in other cases these developmental changes may be beneficial and manipulated to produce the desired effects. Thus, it is important to understand the impact of these fetal-maternal interactions as it directly affects both fetal growth and growth and development after birth. This concept is known as fetal programming. Our interest is to use this concept to improve skeletal muscle development and meat production in cattle and sheep. To achieve this, we targeted the period of pregnancy when fetal muscle formation occurs. Primary muscle fibers form early in pregnancy, and it is this small number of primary muscle fibers that will serve as templates for secondary fiber formation that occurs in the fetus during mid-pregnancy. Supplementing amino acids that influence blood flow within the reproductive tract is one potential way to provide fetuses with added nutrients during pregnancy, and this supplementation strategy may be especially useful when the maternal diet is compromised. L-citrulline was chosen for this work because of its long half-life in maternal circulation. This work utilized twin-bearing ewes with a moderate dietary energy restriction to assess the effects of L-citrulline supplementation on blood flow, placental function, newborn lamb size, and lamb performance. We hypothesize that intravenous administration of L-citrulline will increase uterine and placental blood flow in pregnant ewes and this will improve fetal growth, development, and overall postnatal performance. There was no beneficial effect on blood flow to the fetus and on placental function. Additionally, there were very minimal effects on carcass traits or internal organ weights assessed. In summary, contrary to our hypothesis L-citrulline supplementation to pregnant ewes under a moderate metabolic challenge had no impact on blood flow and provided no programming benefit to the lambs. We can conclude that the potential benefit of amino acid supplementation was not realized in our sheep model.

Placental insufficiency-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases risk of mortality and morbidity in newborn infants and domestic animals. IUGR fetuses are typically exposed to prolonged hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, and hypercatecholaminemia, which results in perinatal pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that chronic exposure to norepinephrine in utero suppresses insulin secretion through α2-adrenergic receptors (ARs), but if the adrenergic actions are blocked compensatory hyper insulin secretion response is observed in the IUGR sheep fetus. In the current studies, we demonstrate that chronic NE exposure alone can produce the compensatory enhancement of β-cell responsiveness following termination of a chronic NE infusion. In the fetus NE was continuously infused at 1-4 μg/min for seven days starting at 131 days of gestational age (term = 145 days). During treatment, NE infused fetuses had higher (P < 0.05) plasma NE concentrations and lower (P < 0.01) insulin concentrations than vehicle infused control fetuses. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), which measures β-cell function, prior to NE treatment was not different between treatments. However, insulin concentrations during hyperglycemic steady state period of GSIS studies and area under the curve of glucose-potentiated arginine-induced insulin secretion were higher (P < 0.01) than control values and this augmentation was confirmed at 3 hours, 24 hours, and five days in NE-infused fetuses after discontinuing the infusion. Pancreatic islets isolated within 10 hours post NE infusion had lower (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of α1D (58%), α2A (43%), α2C (42%), α1 (67%) adrenergic receptors (ARs), and uncoupling protein 2 (40%) compared to islets from controls. Isolated islets from NE-infused fetuses 5 days after NE treatment had lower (P < 0.05) inhibitory responsiveness from NE and a greater (P < 0.05) maximal insulin release with glucose simulation in static incubations compared to controls. These findings show that following chronic NE exposure insulin secretion responsiveness was augmented and was coupled with desensitized adrenergic signaling. Moreover, this compensatory β-cell enhancement persists for days indicating chronic NE exposure permanently alters β-cell responsiveness.

Fatores dietéticos como o selênio (Se) são apontados como importantes moduladores do risco de desenvolvimento do câncer de mama. Essa neoplasia pode apresentar sua origem no início do desenvolvimento e, assim, a alimentação materna poderia ter importantes repercussões na programação fetal da doença. A fim de verificar se diferentes concentração de selênio na dieta materna poderiam programar o risco da progênie feminina ao câncer de mama, ratas foram alimentadas com ração contendo 0,15 (CO), 1,0 (SUP) ou 0,05 (DEF) ppm de Se durante a gestação e sua progênie feminina iniciada com DMBA. A progênie do grupo SUP apresentou menor suscetibilidade à carcinogênese, indicado pelo menor número médio e multiplicidade de adenocarcinomas mamários (p< 0,05), enquanto a do grupo DEF apresentou maior suscetibilidade à carcinogênese, indicado pela maior incidência dos mesmos (p< 0,05). Mães do grupo DEF apresentaram menor concentração de Se no sangue (p< 0,05) e sua prole apresentou menor atividade da enzima GPx1 (p< 0,05). Além disso, observou-se na glândula mamária da progênie de 50 dias menor expressão (western blot e qPCR) de ER&#945;, Her-2, EGFR e Ras no grupo SUP em comparação aos grupos CO e DEF (p< 0,05). Analisou-se, ainda, o padrão de metilação global do DNA (HPLC-DAD), expressão das enzimas DNMT1, 3a e 3b (qPCR), o padrão global de modificações pós traducionais em histonas (western blot) e o padrão de metilação da região promotora do gene Er&#945; (modificação com bissulfito e pirossequenciamento) na glândula mamária da progênie de 50 dias. Não houve diferença no padrão de metilação global do DNA e expressão das enzimas DNMTs (p>0,05). Houve aumento na expressão de H4K16 acetilada nos grupos SUP e DEF (p< 0,05). Finalmente, em comparação a progênie do grupo DEF, a do grupo SUP apresentou região promotora de Er&#945; com aumento marginal (p=0,07) na metilação de dois dinucleotídeos CpG. Conclui-se que o consumo de diferentes concentrações de Se na dieta materna tem impacto sobre a suscetibilidade da progênie ao câncer de mama na vida adulta através da modulação da expressão de receptores e oncogenes relacionados ao desenvolvimeto dessa neoplasia, além da influência em processos epigenéticos. Tais resultados apontam para a existência de uma \"janela de programação\" no início do desenvolvimento sensível a ação do Se, resultando em diminuição do risco de câncer de mama quando suplementado na dieta materna e o inverso quando de sua deficiencia. / Based on epidemiological studies and animal models, the essential micronutrient selenium has been highlighted as a promising dietary factor associated to breast cancer risk reduction. Breast cancer may have its origin in early development and thus the maternal diet could have important implications in the fetal programming of the disease. In order to ascertain whether differences in selenium concentration in maternal diet could modulate the susceptibility of female offspring to breast cancer, a biological assay was conducted in which female rats were fed a diet with 0.15 (CO), 1.0 (SUP) or 0.05 (DEF) ppm of selenium during gestational period and the female offspring subjected to a mammary carcinogenesis model induced by DMBA. SUP group offspring presented decreased susceptibility to mammary carcinogenesis, as indicated by lower (p< 0,05) average number and multiplicity od adenocarcinomas, while the DEF group offspring had a greater susceptibility, as indicated by the increase (p< 0,05) in adenocarcinomas incidency. Mothers of the DEF group pesented lower (p< 0,05) Se blood concetrations and their offspring presented lower (p<0,05).GPx1 activity. In addition, there was a decrease (p< 0,05) in ER&#945;, Her-2, EGFR and Ras expression (western blot and qPCR) in the mammary gland of 7 weeks old female SUP group offspring when compared to CO and DEF groups offspring. DNA global methylation pattern (HPLC-DAD), DNMT1, 3a e 3b expression (qPCR), global pattern of post-translational modification in histones (western blot) and methylation status of Er&#945; promoter region (bisulfite modification and pyrosequencing) were also evaluated in the mammary gland of 7 weeks old offspring. There was no diffrence (p>0,05) in DNA global methylation pattern and DNMTs expression. There was an increase in acetilated H4K16 expression in groups SUP and DEF (p< 0,05). Lastly, when compared to DEF offspring, the SUP offspring presented a marginal increase in the methylation of two CpG dinucleotides in the Er&#945; promoter region. In conclusion, the consumption of different selenium concentration in maternal diet plays a role in the progeny\'s breast cancer susceptibility through the modulation of receptors and oncogenes expression, in addition to modifications in epigenetic patterns. These results indicate the presence of a \"programming window\" in the beggining of development susceptible to selenium effects, resulting in decreased breast cancer risk when supplemented and the opposite when deficient.

Objetivou-se no presente estudo, avaliar o efeito da nutrição proteica no terço final da gestação de vacas Nelore, seguido de estratégias de suplementação e/ou alimentação de suas crias fêmeas sobre a idade à puberdade até os 18 meses. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x2x2; constituindo-se de: 2 manejos suplementar das vacas no pré-parto (Fase I); 2 manejos suplementar das crias (Fase II) e 2 manejos alimentar na recria (Fase IIIA). Na Fase I, 241 vacas foram suplementadas com farelos de soja na proporção de 0,5kg/vaca/dia (Tratamento 1) e 258 vacas foram mantidas sem acesso a suplementação Tratamento 2 (controle - Fase I). Cerca de metade do número de vacas e suas crias fêmeas, nascidas na Fase I, foram distribuídas em dois tratamentos na Fase II-(suplementação das crias) aos 110 dias de idade das crias, as quais passaram receber ou não uma mistura mineral proteica energética em creep-feeding, constituindo assim, os tratamentos suplementação de bezerras em creep-feeding (n =119) e controle (sem suplementação, n =122 ) na Fase II até os 205 dias de idade (desmama). Na fase III A, metade das bezerras de cada grupo na fase II foram manejados em confinamentos (n=119) e a outra metade permaneceu no pasto (Grupo controle, n = 122), até os 320 dias de idade. Na fase IIIB, todas as novilhas foram manejados juntos a pasto e submetidas a estação de monta a partir dos 440 dias aos 560 dias de idade. Os sistemas de suplementação das vacas e bezerras na fase de cria não afetaram o peso corporal, concentração de IGF-1 e percentual de peso adulto das novilhas no início da estação de monta (P > 0,05). O manejo das novilhas em confinamento na fase IIIA, aumentou o número de novilhas púberes (31,9% vs 13,9%; P < 0,01), para as novilhas alimentadas ou não em confinamento, respectivamente. Entretanto, a alimentação em confinamento não ocasionou diferença na idade que estas atingiram a puberdade. Considerando apenas as novilhas que atingiram à puberdade (n = 55) houve efeito de interação entre as fases de suplementação/alimentação e a idade à puberdade (P < 0,05). Para as vacas manejadas na Fase I, a suplementação influenciou a ciclicidade das mesmas no momento da IATF (68,9% vs 55,4%; P < 0,05), porém não ocasionou diferença no número de vacas prenhes (60,1 vs 55,3%; P > 0,05), vacas suplementadas e não suplementadas, respectivamente. Similarmente, a suplementação das novilhas em creep-feeding, não influenciou a taxa de prenhez das vacas (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, a suplementação das vacas com fontes proteicas não influenciou a idade a puberdade de novilhas até os 18 meses, sendo que o manejo alimentar em confinamento aumentou o número de novilhas púberes em relação com as manejadas no pasto. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of protein nutrition in the final third of gestation of Nelore cows, followed by supplementation strategies and / or feed their young females over the age of puberty until 18 months. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial 2x2x2; constituting of: 2 suplementary managements of cows in pre-partum (Phase I); 2 supplementary managements of offspring (Phase II) and 2 alimentary managements during rearing (Phase IIIA). In Phase I, 241 cows were supplemented with soybean meal at the rate of 0.5 kg / cow / day (Treatment 1) and 258 cows were kept without access to supplemental Treatment 2 (control - phase I). About half of the cows and their female offspring, born in Phase I, were assigned to two treatments in Phase-II (supplementation of cubs) at 110 days of age of the offsprings, which now receive or not a mineral mix protein energy in creep-feeding, constituting, treatments supplementation in calves creep-feeding (n = 119) and control group (without supplementation, n = 122) in Phase II until 205 days of age (weaning). In phase III A, half of each group of calves in phase II were managed in feedlots (n = 119) and the other half remained in the pasture (control group, n = 122), up to 320 days of age. In stage IIIB, all heifers were managed together and submitted to the pasture breeding season from 440 days to 560 days old. Supplementation systems of cows and calves during the growing period did not affect body weight, concentration of IGF-1 and percentage of mature weight of heifers at the beginning of the breeding season (P> 0.05). The management of heifers in the feedlot phase IIIA, increased the number of pubertal heifers (31.9% vs 13.9%, P <0.01) for heifers fed in confinement or not, respectively. However, feeding in confinement caused no difference in age they reached puberty. Considering only heifers reached puberty (n = 55) there was an interaction effect between phases of supplementation / nutrition and age at puberty (P <0.05). For cows managed in Phase I, supplementation influenced the cyclicality of the same at the time of TAI (68.9% vs 55.4%, P <0.05), but caused no difference in the number of pregnant cows (60.1 vs 55.3%, P> 0.05), supplemented and nonsupplemented cows, respectively. Similarly, the addition of heifers in creep-feeding did not influence the rate of pregnancy in cows (P> 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of cows with protein sources did not influence the age at puberty in heifers up to 18 months, and feeding management in confinement increased the number of pubertal compared with those managed on pasture.

Orientador: Débora Cristina Damasceno / Resumo: Objetivos: Avaliar as alterações bioquímicas geradas pela programação fetal frente ao diabete intrauterino materno e/ou pela dieta hiperlipídica (DHL) oferecida a filhas de ratas diabéticas. Principais métodos: Ratas Sprague-Dawley receberam Streptozotocin ou tampão citrato no 5º dia de vida e foram submetidos a um teste oral de tolerância à glicose na idade adulta para avaliação do nível glicêmico como critério de inclusão e exclusão. Posteriormente, foram acasaladas para obtenção da prole que, após o desmame, as fêmeas receberam dieta hiperlipídica ou padrão de acordo com o grupo experimental. Aos 120 dias, as ratas foram anestasiadas e mortas para coleta de sangue para determinação das concentrações de colesterol total (CHO), lipoproteína de densidade muito baixa (VLDL), triglicérides (TG), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e avaliação dos marcadores de estresse oxidativo [níveis de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), grupos tióis (SH), e atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase (SOD), glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px), e catalase (CAT). Principais achados: Os animais advindos de um ambiente intrauterino desfavorável apresentaram redução nos níveis de TBARS, H2O2, GSH-Px, ALT, AST, TG, CHO e VLDL e aumento de SOD. Além disso, os animais que receberam a DHL tiveram diminuição da atividade de GSH-Px e CAT e maior no nível de SOD. Significado: Portanto, a programação fetal causada pela hiperglicemi... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Aims: The present study aimed at evaluating the biochemical changes generated by fetal programming on the intrauterine maternal diabetes and/or by the hyperlipidic diet (HFD) offered to offspring of diabetic rats. Main methods: Sprague-Dawley rats received Streptozotocin or citrate buffer in the day 5 of life and were submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test in adulthood to assess the glycemic level as inclusion and exclusion criteria. Later, they were mated to obtain the offspring. After weaning, the females received a high fat diet (HFD) or standard diet (SD) according to the experimental group. At 120 days, the rats were anesthetized and killed for blood collection to determine the concentrations of total cholesterol (CHO), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides (TG), activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers [levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiols groups (SH), and activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT)]. Key findings: The animals from an unfavorable intrauterine showed reduction in the levels of TBARS, H2O2, GSH-Px, ALT, AST, TG, CHO and VLDL and increase in SOD activity. In addition, animals from diabetic dams and receiving HFD after weaning decreased GSH-Px and CAT activities, and elevated SOD levels. Significance: Therefore, maternal hyperglycemia-induce... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

A obesidade assim como a gestação está relacionada com distúrbios dos metabolismos da glicose, lipídios, hormônios e produção de moléculas inflamatórias. Portanto, supõe-se que a obesidade na gestação pode influenciar o desenvolvimento do feto, interferindo na sua composição corporal e predispondo a doenças cardiovasculares na idade adulta. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre a composição corporal e leptina e adiponectina séricas materna e a composição corporal de neonatos. A composição corporal de 215 mães e seus respectivos neonatos foi determinada por bioimpedância segmentada e pletismografia por deslocamento de ar, respectivamente. Os níveis séricos de leptina e adiponectina maternos foram avaliados pelo método de Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay ELISA. Utilizou-se análise de regressão univariada e análise de regressão linear múltipla para determinar a associação entre fatores maternos e composição corporal do neonato, considerando-se como variáveis resposta a massa de gordura e a massa livre de gordura do neonato. As mães apresentaram idade média de 25,9 (5,2) anos, 43,4 por cento eram pardas e 55,3 por cento pertenciam à classe econômica B. Cerca de 50 por cento das mães apresentaram Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) pré-gestacional adequado, 27,7 por cento tinham sobrepeso e 10,8 por cento eram obesas.47,1 por cento dos partos foram normal e 29,1 por cento foram cesárea. Nasceram mais crianças do sexo feminino (55,4 por cento) que do masculino e a média de peso ao nascimento foi de aproximadamente 3373 (423) g. O IMC pré-gestacional materno, a massa livre de gordura materna, a massa muscular esquelética materna e a concentração plasmática de adiponectina apresentaram associação positiva com a massa de gordura do neonato. A massa livre de gordura materna, massa muscular esquelética materna e massa muscular do braço direito apresentaram associação positiva com a massa livre de gordura do neonato. A composição corporal materna e a adiponectina, proteína secretada pelo tecido adiposo, exercem influência sobre a composição corporal do neonato. Espera-se que mais estudos sejam conduzidos para investigar os mecanismos envolvidos nos achados desta pesquisa / Obesity as well as gestation is related to disturbances of glucose metabolism, lipids, hormones and production of inflammatory molecules. Therefore, it is assumed that obesity during pregnancy can influence the development of the fetus, interfering with its body composition and predisposing to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. This study evaluated the relationship between body composition and maternal serum leptin and adiponectin and the body composition of neonates. The body composition of 215 mothers and their respective neonates was determined by segmented bioimpedance and air displacement plethysmography, respectively. Serum levels of maternal leptin and adiponectin were assessed by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay ELISA. We used univariate regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to determine the association between maternal factors and body composition of the newborn, considering as variables the fat mass and the fat free mass of the newborn. The mothers had a mean age of 25.9 (5.2) years, 43.4 per cent were brown and 55.3 per cent belonged to economic class B. Approximately 50 per cent of the mothers presented Body Mass Index (BMI) adequate pre-gestational age, 27.7 per cent were overweight and 10.8 per cent were obese.47,1 per cent of births were normal and 29.1 per cent were cesarean. More female children (55.4 per cent) were born than male children and the mean birth weight was approximately 3373 (423) g. Maternal pre-gestational BMI, maternal fat-free mass, maternal skeletal muscle mass, and adiponectin plasma concentration were positively associated with neonatal fat mass. The maternal fat free mass, maternal skeletal muscle mass and right arm muscle mass were positively associated with the fat free mass of the newborn. Maternal body composition and adiponectin, a protein secreted by adipose tissue, influence the body composition of the neonate. It is expected that further studies will be conducted to investigate the mechanisms involved in the findings of this research

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder encompassing reproductive and metabolic phenotypes. Genetic analysis, targeting candidate genes has to date proven unsuccessful in the search for a truly dominant genetic link. Another hypothesis to explain the etiology of PCOS is that of fetal programming in the context of developmental origins of health and disease. Extensive animal studies, validated by human data, support the fetal origins hypothesis of PCOS and highlight that PCOS may arise due to excess androgen exposure in fetal life. Previous reports from our laboratory found metabolic dysfunction in 11 month old prenatally androgenised females (d62-102 of fetal life), which included pancreatic and hepatic alterations. The pancreatic alterations seemed to result from gene expression changes induced in fetal life. Therefore, chapter 3 focuses on the gluconeogenic response in the day 90 fetus following maternal androgenisation from day 62 of gestation. Interestingly hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes, specifically phosphoenolpyruvate caboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose 6 phosphatase (G6PC), were not altered. However they were decreased in the kidney, in a sex specific manner with PEPCK significantly decreased (P<0.01) and G6PC showing a strong trend toward reduction (P=0.056) in females only. This chapter progresses to explore regulatory pathways involved in gluconeogenic regulation. It seems probable that the female specific increase in circulating testosterone (P<0.001), with increased renal androgen reception (P<0.01), may be accountable for the altered expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the kidney. Chapter 4 investigates why testosterone concentrations were not increased in the male fetus, after maternal androgenisation, by focusing on the site of testosterone production, the fetal testis. Results demonstrate that the day 90 fetus is capable of responding to prenatal androgenisation by decreasing luteinising hormone (P<0.01) and thus testicular testosterone production, such that there was a global down regulation in steroidogenic enzyme expression, in vivo testosterone production (P<0.001) and Leydig cell morphology was altered (P<0.001). As prenatal androgenisation is administered through the maternal route and placental aromatisation may occur, a novel method whereby the fetus was directly injected was utilised to assess the effects of control oil (C), testosterone (TP) or diethylstilboestrol (DES) on the fetal testis. Unlike DES, direct fetal injection with TP mimics the results found from maternal androgenisation. When the testis are examined at a later date, day 112, ten days after androgen treatment ceases, Leydig cell morphology and steroidogenic gene expression return to control values, although fascinatingly, an overshoot of in vivo testosterone production (P<0.01) was observed. When the maternal androgenisation window is extended to begin at day 30 of fetal life, further changes are noted including increased circulating testosterone (P<0.01), a strong trend toward decreased testis weight (P=0.0519) and altered expression of Sertoli and germ cell specific markers. These studies are followed up by assessing the legacy effect of testosterone on the peripubertal male testis in Chapter 5. At ten weeks of postnatal life, males, exposed to androgens from day 62-102 of fetal life had reduced testis weight (P<0.05). However, functional or cellular alterations were not observed and by 12 weeks of age, when LH had normalised, testicular weight and stimulated testosterone secretion of prenatally TP-treated males was comparable to controls. This highlights the remarkable plasticity of the testis and the unremarkable legacy of altered prenatal androgen exposure. The legacy effect of testosterone on the fetal ovary is examined in Chapter 6. Previous studies from our laboratory found minor functional alterations but no structural alterations in the fetal ovary at day 90 following androgenisation from day 62. However, as this was at a time of a highly androgenic environment we assessed the function and morphology of the ovary ten days after the removal of testosterone at day 112. In marked contrast to the normalisation of the male gonad, we observe structural changes with an increase in recruited follicles from the primordial to primary stage in the testosterone treated group (P<0.01). The chapter continues with an investigation of pathways involved in the altered follicular dynamics that may account for the change in follicular recruitment. Furthermore, the functional changes which were previously noted in the day 90 ovary were also examined in response to direct exogenous steroid treatment including, C, TP, DES and dexamethasone (DEX) and also when the window of maternal androgenisation was extended to begin at day 30. Interesting changes are observed such that the direct fetal injection treatments induce similar changes to each other, regardless of the steroid, whilst maternal androgenisation induces a different response. This highlights the complexity of the pathways involved in female gonadal development.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:17:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Heloisa Confortim.pdf: 5400864 bytes, checksum: 6b96ff3a1a320e827bc7c09adf7eed57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inadequate maternal nutritional may predispose to neuromuscular disorders in the offspring, a phenomenon known as fetal programming. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal protein restriction (during pregnancy and lactation) on muscle fibers and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of the soleus muscle from pups at 21 and 365 days old. Male Wistar rats were divided in two experimental groups: Control (CG) - offspring of mothers fed a normal protein diet (17%) and restricted (RG) - offspring of mothers fed a low protein diet (6%). All pups were maintained with their mothers during the lactation period (21 days) and after weaning, one part of males from each group were euthanized to collect samples of the soleus muscle. The remaining rats received standard food ad libitum until 365 days, when they were also euthanatized. The samples of the soleus muscle from animals with 21 days old were collected for analysis of muscle fibers (by HE staining and ultrastructure) and NMJs (by Nonspecific Esterase technique). In animals with 365 days of age, soleus muscle samples were obtained for verification of muscle fibers (by HE staining, NADH-TR reaction and ultrastructure), quantification of intramuscular collagen (picrosirius red staining) and also for analysis of NMJs (Nonspecific Esterase technique). Regarding the results, at 21 days muscle fibers was immature and the presence of myotubes, central nuclei, fetal fibres and fibroblasts were observed in both experimental groups. An increase in the number of muscle fiber and nuclei in the RG compared to controls was observed. Muscle fibers with rarefied or loosely arranged myofibrils, Z-line disorganized and nuclei in central position were observed in CG and RG. Regarding the NMJs, the RG showed a decreased in area, larger and smaller diameter compared to the CG. At 365 days, the RG showed a decrease in the cross sectional area in type I and IIa fibers, associated with an increase in type IIb fibers. The percentage of intramuscular collagen was lower in RG. Myofibrils and Z line disorganization was also observed at ultrastructural level, with the presence of mitochondria clusters in both groups studied. A reduction in the area and smaller diameter of NMJs was observed in the GR, along with an increase in the larger diameter of these structures compared to CG. These results indicate that maternal protein restriction affects the morphology and morphometry of the neuromuscular junctions and muscle fibers. Such changes can be detected early and persist throughout adulthood and senescence, seeming irreversible / Condições nutricionais maternas inadequadas podem predispor ao aparecimento de alterações neuromusculares na prole, um fenômeno conhecido como programação fetal. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da restrição proteica materna, durante os períodos gestacional e de lactação, sobre as fibras musculares e junções neuromusculares (JNMs) do músculo sóleo dos filhotes aos 21 e 365 dias de idade. Ratos Wistar machos foram separados em dois grupos experimentais: Controle (GC) - prole de mães alimentadas com ração normoproteica (17%) e restrito (GR) - prole de mães alimentadas com ração hipoproteica (6%). Os filhotes foram mantidos com a mãe durante o período de lactação (21 dias) e, após o desmame, parte dos machos de cada grupo foi eutanasiado para a coleta de amostras do músculo sóleo. Os demais filhotes receberam ração padrão ad libitum até os 365 dias, quando também foram eutanasiados. Amostras do músculo sóleo dos animais com 21 dias de idade foram coletadas para análise das fibras musculares (através da coloração em HE e ultraestrutura) e das JNMs (técnica de Esterase-Inespecífica). Nos animais com 365 dias de idade, amostras do músculo sóleo foram obtidas para análise das fibras musculares (através da coloração em HE, reação de NADH-TR e ultraestrutura), quantificação de colágeno intramuscular (coloração Picrosirius-red) e também para a análise das JNMs (técnica de Esterase-Inespecífica). Quanto aos resultados, aos 21 dias de idade as fibras musculares apresentaram-se imaturas, com a presença de miotubos, núcleos centrais, fibras fetais e fibroblastos nos dois grupos experimentais. Foi observado um aumento na quantidade de fibras musculares e de núcleos no GR em comparação ao GC. Fibras musculares com miofibrilas rarefeitas ou frouxamente arranjadas, linha Z desorganizada e núcleos em posição central também foram observadas nos GC e GR. Em relação as JNMs, o GR apresentou redução na área, diâmetro maior e menor quando comparadas ao GC. Aos 365 dias, o GR apresentou redução na área da secção transversal das fibras tipo I e IIa, além de um aumento nas fibras tipo IIb. A porcentagem de colágeno intramuscular foi menor no GR. Também foi observada uma desorganização das miofibrilas e da linha Z em nível ultraestrutural, com a presença de aglomerados de mitocôndrias nos dois grupos estudados. Quanto às JNMs, foi observada uma redução na área e diâmetro menor, além de um aumento no diâmetro maior no GR comparado ao GC. Estes resultados indicam que a restrição proteica materna afeta a morfologia e morfometria das fibras musculares e JNMs. Tais alterações são detectáveis precocemente e perduram ao longo da vida adulta e senescência, parecendo ser irreversíveis

Fetal programming is a relatively new and quickly growing field of research in the livestock industry. The concept of fetal programming is simply defined as the effects a change in maternal nutritional intake has on offspring, whether it be a genetic or physical change. The intention of this study was to specifically look at the effects of nutrient restriction of cows during the second trimester of gestation on the growth and performance of the resulting calves. In this study, thirty-two cows of predominantly angus influence from the Utah state university herd were chosen, naturally bred to a pure bred angus sire, and then allocated into two treatments: maintenance and restricted. These groups were treated uniformly for first and third trimesters of gestation, while in the second trimester, they were managed in a way that the maintenance group maintained a greater level of body condition and weight compared with the restricted group. Calf growth and performance was measured and compared for effects of fetal programming. Previous studies in beef found positive effects on carcass characteristics. However, little work has been done to ensure that fetal programming is not detrimental to calves early in life. Though this study did find that nutrient restriction resulted in more excitable cattle, no negative effects caused by programming were found in growth and performance of the offspring.

Orientador: Raquel Fantin Domeniconi / Resumo: O estado nutricional materno desempenha papel crucial na saúde e no bem-estar do feto. Alterações testiculares, prostáticas e espermáticas foram observadas em animais adultos, cujas mães sofreram restrição de proteína. No entanto, não há trabalhos com este modelo experimental que enfoquem o desenvolvimento, padrão de vascularização e seus reflexos na expressão de proteínas no epidídimo. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o padrão das respostas morfológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e expressão de proteínas do epidídimo da prole de ratos Wistar de mães submetidas à restrição proteica no período de gestação e de lactação. Fêmeas prenhes foram alocadas nos grupos experimentais normoproteico (NP) e hipoproteico (HP) que receberam, respectivamente, dietas contendo 17% e 6% de proteínas durante gestação e lactação. Após o desmame, os ratos receberam dieta padrão para roedores até as idades de 21, 44 e 120 dias pós-natais (DPN) quando foram eutanasiados. Os epidídimos foram coletados e processados segundo técnicas histológicas, imuno-histoquímicas e de western blotting. Nos filhotes HP, o tamanho reduzido e baixo peso observados ao nascimento se mantiveram até o DPN 120, acompanhados da redução dos órgãos do sistema genital masculino para todas as idades analisadas. A dieta hipoproteica materna diminuiu os níveis séricos de testosterona nos animais no DPN 44, aumentou os níveis de aldosterona nos animais no DPN 21 e não alterou os níveis de estradiol em nenhuma das idades. Nos animais ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Maternal nutrition status plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of the fetus. Changes of testes and prostate as well as spermatic disorders were observed in adult animals whose mothers were subjected to protein restriction. However, there are no studies with this experimental model that focus the development and the vascular pattern of epididymis, as well as their reflexes in the expression of proteins of the epididymis. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of morphometric, immunohistochemical and protein expression of the epididymis of the Wistar rat offspring whose mothers were subjected to a low-protein diet during gestation and lactation. Pregnant females were divided into normoprotein (NP) group and low-protein (LP) group that received, respectively, diets containing 17% and 6% of protein during gestation and lactation. After weaning, the LP and NP male pups received the standard diet for rodents until the ages of 21, 44 and 120 days (PND), when they were euthanized. The epididymides were collected and processed according to histological, immunohistochemical and western blotting techniques. In the LP offspring, the smaller body size and low weight observed at birth remained until the PND 120, as well as the reduction of the male genital system organs weight for all analyzed ages. Maternal low-protein diet decreased testosterone serum levels in animals at PND 44, increased aldosterone serum levels in animals at PND 21 and did not altered estradi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor