Fetal leptin is a signal of fat mass independent of maternal nutrition in ewes fed at or above maintenance energy requirements
Article
Article Title | Fetal leptin is a signal of fat mass independent of maternal nutrition in ewes fed at or above maintenance energy requirements |
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ERA Journal ID | 22121 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Muhlhausler, B. S. (Author), Roberts, C. T. (Author), McFarlane, J. R. (Author), Kauter, K. G. (Author) and McMillen, I. C. (Author) |
Journal Title | Biology of Reproduction |
Journal Citation | 67 (2), pp. 493-499 |
Number of Pages | 7 |
Year | 2002 |
Place of Publication | Madison, WI. United States |
ISSN | 0006-3363 |
1529-7268 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod67.2.493 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.biolreprod.org/content/67/2/493.full.pdf+html |
Abstract | In adults, circulating leptin concentrations are dependent on body fat content and on current nutritional status. However, the relationships among maternal nutrient intake, fetal adiposity, and circulating leptin concentrations before birth are unknown. We investigated the effects of an increase in nutrient intake in the pregnant ewe on fetal adiposity and plasma leptin concentrations during late gestation. Between 115 and 139-141 days gestation (term = 147 ± 3 days gestation), ewes were fed a diet calculated to provide either maintenance (control, n = 6) or ∼155% of maintenance requirements (well.fed, n = 8). The fetal fat depots (perirenal and interscapular) were dissected, and the relative proportion of unilocular and multilocular adipocytes in each depot was determined. Maternal plasma glucose and leptin concentrations were significantly increased in well-fed ewes. Fetal plasma glucose concentrations were also higher in the well-fed group (115-139 days gestation: control, 1.65 ± 0.14 mmol/L; well-fed, 2.00 ± 0.14 mmol/L; F = 5.76, P < 0.04). There was no effect of increasing maternal feed intake on total fat mass, the relative mass of unilocular fat, or fetal plasma leptin concentrations (115-139 days gestation: control, 5.2 ± 0.8 ng/ml; well-fed, 4.7 ±0.7 ng/ml). However, in both the control and well-fed groups fetal plasma leptin concentrations (y) were positively correlated with the relative mass of unilocular fat (x): y = 1.51x + 1.70; (R = 0.76, P< 0.01). Thus, fetal leptin may play a role as a signal of unilocular fat mass in the fetus when maternal nutrient intake is at or above maintenance requirements. |
Keywords | pregnancy; glucose; leptin; insulin; maternal nutrition; sheep production |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 310999. Zoology not elsewhere classified |
300303. Animal nutrition | |
310909. Animal physiology - cell | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Adelaide |
University of New England | |
University of South Australia |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9zw72/fetal-leptin-is-a-signal-of-fat-mass-independent-of-maternal-nutrition-in-ewes-fed-at-or-above-maintenance-energy-requirements
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