Sex-specific effects of placental restriction on components of the metabolic syndrome in young adult sheep.

Full Abstract

Prenatal and early postnatal life experiences, reflected by size at birth and postnatal catch-up growth, contribute to the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome in adulthood, but their relative importance is unclear. Therefore, we determined the effects of restricted placental and fetal growth on components of the metabolic syndrome in young adult sheep and the relationships of the latter to size at birth and early postnatal growth. Fasting plasma metabolites, glucose tolerance (by intravenous glucose tolerance test, IVGTT), insulin secretion and sensitivity, and resting blood pressure were measured in 22 control and 20 placentally restricted (PR) 1-yr-old sheep. In male sheep, PR increased the initial rise in glucose during an IVGTT and reduced diastolic blood pressure, and small size at birth independently predicted reduced adult size, glucose tolerance, and fasting plasma insulin and insulin disposition of glucose metabolism but increased insulin disposition of circulating FFAs. Also in males, high fractional growth rates in early postnatal life independently predicted impaired early glucose clearance during an IVGTT. In female animals, PR increased insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism and reduced fasting plasma FFAs, and thinness at birth predicted increased adult size, fasting blood glucose, and pulse pressure. In conclusion, PR and small size at birth are associated with more components of the metabolic syndrome in adult male than in adult female sheep, with few independent effects of early postnatal growth. These sex differences in the onset and extent of adverse metabolic consequences after prenatal restraint in the sheep are consistent with observations in humans.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Owens, J A (JA); Thavaneswaran, P (P); De Blasio, M J (MJ); McMillen, I C (IC); Robinson, J S (JS); Gatford, K L (KL);

Affiliation: Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. julie.owens(-atsign-)adelaide.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jun; vol 292 (issue 6) : pp E1879-89

Dates: Created 2007/06/05; Completed 2007/07/30;

PMID: 17327366, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aging
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Birth Weight
Blood Glucose - metabolism
Blood Pressure
Body Weight
Female
Fetal Growth Retardation - physiopathology
Growth

Homeostasis
Insulin - secretion
Lipid Metabolism
Male
Metabolic Syndrome X - etiology; physiopathology
Placenta - growth & development
Placental Insufficiency - physiopathology
Pregnancy
Sex Characteristics
Sheep

Associated Chemicals: Blood Glucose (0) ; Insulin (11061-68-0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.