The carotid bodies influence growth responses to moderate maternal undernutrition in late-gestation fetal sheep.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of carotid sinus innervation on differential fetal organ growth during maternal nutrient restriction in late pregnancy.


METHODS
Randomised controlled study.


METHODS
University research facility.


METHODS
Thirty-nine Merino ewes.


METHODS
At 113 days gestational age (dGA), fetuses were bilaterally carotid sinus denervated or sham denervated. From 118 dGA, the surgery groups were subdivided into two dietary groups, and their ewes were fed 100% of nutrient requirements or 50% until tissue collection at 140 dGA. This provided four groups (sham/control diet, sham/restricted diet, denervated/control diet and denervated/restricted diet).


METHODS
Fetal organ weights and hormone levels and maternal weight change during the dietary restriction.


RESULTS
Adrenal glands were larger in sham/restricted diet fetuses than in sham/control diet or denervated/restricted diet fetuses (P < 0.05). Fetal adrenal weight and brain-to-liver weight ratio were positively related to maternal weight change during the nutritional challenge in sham fetuses only (P < 0.05). Fetal liver weight was negatively related to maternal weight change during nutritional challenge in sham fetuses only (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown a reduction in liver growth but sparing of adrenal growth in response to moderate maternal undernutrition, which is dependent on intact carotid body innervation. This suggests a new role for the carotid bodies in the control of differential organ growth during such undernutrition.
Burrage
D
D
Centre for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Green
L R
LR
Moss
T J M
TJ
Sloboda
D M
DM
Nitsos
I
I
Newnham
J P
JP
Hanson
M A
MA
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000196:embryology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012756:Sheep
D004573:Electrolytes; D007328:Insulin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone