Calorie restriction during gestation affects ovarian reserve in offspring in the mouse

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of calorie restriction (CR) during pregnancy in mice on metabolism and ovarian function in the offspring. Pregnant female mice were divided into two groups, a control group and a CR group (n=7 in each). Mice in the CR group were fed 50% of the amount consumed by control females from Day 10 of gestation until delivery. After weaning, the offspring received diet ad libitum until 3 months of age, when ovaries were collected. Ovaries were serially cut and every sixth section was used for follicle counting. Female offspring from CR dams tended to have increased bodyweight compared with offspring from control females (P=0.08). Interestingly, fewer primordial follicles (60% reduction; P=0.001), transitional follicles (P=0.0006) and total follicles (P=0.006) were observed in offspring from CR mothers. The number of primary, secondary and tertiary follicles did not differ between the groups (P>0.05). The CR offspring had fewer DNA double-strand breaks in primary follicle oocytes (P=0.03). In summary, CR during the second half of gestation decreased primordial ovarian follicle reserve in female offspring. These findings suggest that undernutrition during the second half of gestation may decrease the reproductive lifespan of female offspring.

Impact of In Ovo Leptin Injection and Dietary Protein Levels on Ovarian Growth Markers and Early Folliculogenesis in Post-Hatch Chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)

“…We found that the level of dietary protein alters the mRNA transcripts of HPG-axis genes, particularly in the ovaries of early life broiler chicks, potentially affecting future folliculogenesis. Our results are consistent with those of other studies and suggest that maternal or neonatal imbalanced nutritional intake influences folliculogenesis and reproduction during the pubertal and prepubertal stages in animals, including BB hens [10,44,45].…”

Balancing nutrition for successful reproduction in ruminants

“…Gestational dietary restriction also affects ovarian development in rodents. [14][15][16][17][18] These studies have included reduced total diet, calories or protein and imposed various degrees of nutritional restrictions, and all revealed that maternal undernourishment is deleterious to the fertility of female offspring. It is thought that protein restriction during pregnancy has a more profound impact on foetal development since deficiency of amino acids demands more changes in maternal metabolism.…”

“…These findings clearly demonstrated the negative impact of maternal undernutrition on male reproduction. Gestational dietary restriction also affects ovarian development in rodents 14–18 . These studies have included reduced total diet, calories or protein and imposed various degrees of nutritional restrictions, and all revealed that maternal undernourishment is deleterious to the fertility of female offspring.…”