title: Peri-implantation undernutrition programs blunted angiotensin II evoked baroreflex responses in young adult sheep.
abstract: An adverse environment around conception and implantation influences later fetal growth and development to term in humans and sheep. Indeed, preimplantation undernutrition of rats elevated the systolic blood pressure of the resultant adult offspring. In this study, adult cardiovascular function is examined in a slower growing, non-litter-bearing species after peri-implantation undernutrition. Eight ewes were fed to 50% equivalent food intake of 12 control ewes from 1 to 30 days (term approximately 147 days) only. Following consumption of an adequate diet to term, natural lambing, and then weaning, resting cardiovascular status and baroreflex function were examined in the resultant young adult offspring. Birth weight and postnatal growth to 1 year of age were unaffected by early undernutrition; however, nutrient-restricted sheep had increased pulse pressure, a reduced rate pressure product, and a leftward shift in their baroreflex function curve. Baroreflex sensitivity during angiotensin II infusion was also blunted in early nutrient-restricted sheep but the tachycardia following a reduction in central blood pressure appeared potentiated, relative to controls. The data suggest that peri-implantation undernutrition may program long-term cardiovascular dysfunction that ultimately increases the risk of hypertension later in life. An increase in regional angiotensin II activity during this critical early phase of development is a likely candidate mechanism for the effects observed. The data have broad implications for the health outcome of those offspring from mothers who were poorly nourished during early, often unknown pregnancy and for embryos artificially manipulated because of infertility treatment.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproduction and Early Life, Institute of Clinical Research, University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom. david.gardner@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dandrea
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Symonds
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001755:Blastocyst; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D009929:Organ Size; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012756:Sheep; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000804:Angiotensin II; D009599:Nitroprusside; D010656:Phenylephrine