Low protein provision during the first year of life, but not during foetal life, affects metabolic traits, organ mass development and growth in male mink (Neovison vison)

Abstract

Low protein provision in utero and post-partum may induce metabolic disorders in adulthood. Studies in mink have mainly focused on short-term consequences of low protein provision in utero whereas the long-term responses to low protein (LP) provision in metabolically programmed mink are unknown. We investigated whether low protein provision in utero affects the long-term response to adequate (AP) or LP provision after weaning in male mink. Eighty-six male mink were exposed to low (19% of ME from CP; crude protein) or adequate (31% of ME from CP) protein provision in utero, and to LP (~20% of ME from CP) or AP (30-42% of ME from CP) provision post-weaning. Being metabolically programmed by low protein provision in utero did not affect the response to post-weaning diets. Dietary protein content in the LP feed after weaning was below requirements; evidenced by lower nitrogen retention (p < 0.001) preventing LP mink from attaining their growth potential (p < 0.02). LP mink had a lower liver, pancreas and kidney weight (p < 0.05) as well as lower plasma IGF-1 concentrations at 8 and 25 (p < 0.05) weeks, and a higher incidence of hepatic lipidosis at 25 weeks (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LP mink had a higher body fat (p < 0.05) and lower body CP content (p < 0.05) at 50 weeks of age. It is concluded that some effects of low protein provision in utero can be alleviated by an adequate nutrient supply post-partum. However, long-term exposure to low protein provision in mink reduces their growth potential and induces transient hepatic lipidosis and modified body composition.

Fetal life malnutrition was not reflected in the relative abundances of adiponectin and leptin mRNAs in adipose tissue in male mink kits at 9.5 weeks of age

“…The relative abundance of leptin mRNA was not affected by FL protein provision which corresponded with the plasma leptin concentration and chemical body composition [ 4 ]. These results were supported by findings of the relative abundance of leptin mRNA in adult female mink [ 3 ] and the body composition of adult male mink [ 6 ] both protein malnourished in utero. This was in contrast to findings in male mice, protein malnourished in utero and during suckling, in which a lower body weight, circulating plasma leptin and abundance of leptin mRNA were found after weaning [ 7 ].…”

The Role of Maternal Dietary Proteins in Development of Metabolic Syndrome in Offspring

“…Plasma IGF-1 concentrations at 8 and 25 weeks, the incidence of hepatic lipidosis at 25 weeks and body fat were also higher in offspring fed a low protein post-weaning diet compared with those fed a post-weaning normal protein diet. This effect was independent from their maternal dietary background [ 207 ].…”

Adverse weather duringin uterodevelopment is linked to higher rates of later-life herpesvirus reactivation in adult European badgers,Meles meles

“…Open Sci. 9: 211749 protein diets can be mitigated by a more balanced post-weaning diet [67]. In a further example, Lee & Zucker [68] discovered that autumn-born vole pups (Microtus pennsylvanicus) have much thicker coats than those born in spring-cued hormonally in utero by the mother experiencing changes in day length-a type of plasticity that Gluckman and Hanson [5] termed a Predictive Adaptive Response (PAR).…”

“…In support of maternal effects of nutritional stress, in American mink ( Neovison vison ), another mustelid species exhibiting delayed implantation, kits born to females experiencing a protein-restricted diet during prenatal development exhibit lower birth weight and lower insulin/leptin related mRNA expression [ 66 ], with lower protein oxidation among male kits. Nevertheless, there is laboratory evidence that the effects of low prenatal protein diets can be mitigated by a more balanced post-weaning diet [ 67 ]. In a further example, Lee & Zucker [ 68 ] discovered that autumn-born vole pups ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) have much thicker coats than those born in spring—cued hormonally in utero by the mother experiencing changes in day length—a type of plasticity that Gluckman and Hanson [ 5 ] termed a Predictive Adaptive Response (PAR).…”