published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

To test the hypothesis that maternal glucose restriction (GR) would compromise small intestine (SI) growth and development, we used a diet induced model of IUGR. Pregnant rats and offspring were fed isoenergetic diets {0% (deficient), 12, 24% (restricted), 60% (adequate) glucose) from gestation day (gd) 0 through adolescence. SI tissue was collected at gd20, birth, 12--24h, postnatal day (pd) 7, 15, 21, 28, 35, 49 and in controls. GR affected pup weight at early timepoints, resulting in IUGR; beyond effects due to differences in body wt, GR compromised SI length at 12--24h and promoted SI growth during peak lactation (pd15; total and distal wts). Dietary glucose regulated in utero (gd20) expression of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter (SGLT1) protein. Diet-induced precocious maturation of lactase and sucrase was observed in glucose deficient animals. In summary, there were periodic but no permanent effects of dietary glucose intake on gut growth and development.

To test the hypothesis that maternal dietary glucose restriction throughout pregnancy and lactation would perturb glucose transporter (GLUT) protein levels in offspring, isoenergetic diets containing graded levels of glucose (0, 12, 24 and 60%) were fed to pregnant rats and their offspring from gestation day (gd) 0 through postnatal day (pd) 49. Diets were defined as deficient (0%), restricted (12, 24%) or adequate (60%) in glucose. Plasma, small intestine, liver and kidney tissues were collected perinatally (gd20, birth, 12--24hrs postnatal), during lactation (pd7, 15, 21), post-weaning (pd28, 35, 49) and in adult controls. The proximal and distal regions of the small intestine responded differently to the dietary glucose restriction. Proximal small intestine GLUT2 protein levels did not change throughout postnatal development and remained unaltered with dietary glucose restriction, while distal small intestine GLUT2 protein expression changed throughout postnatal development and with dietary glucose restriction. These findings, together with information from the literature, indicate a dissociation between small intestine GLUT2 mRNA expression, GLUT2 protein levels and small intestine glycogen reserves.

Bibliography :leaves 250-302. / xix, 302, [19] leaves, [4] leaves of plates : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Results suggest that IGF-I peptides significantly influence gastrointestinal growth in normal adult and suckling rats and indicate they may have therapeutic implications both in conditions of impaired gut function in the adult gastrointestinal tract and in the treatment of gut disease in the immature intestine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 1995?

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