Foetal and postnatal exposure to high temperatures alter growth pattern but do not modify reproductive function in male rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The 'foetal origin hypothesis' postulates that a number of organ structures and associated functions undergo programming during embryonic and foetal life and the neonatal period, which determines the set point of physiological and metabolic responses that carry into adulthood. We evaluate the relationship between high environmental temperatures and the reproductive function of male offspring to determine whether pregnant mammals and their infants are potentially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.


METHODS
Rabbit pups were exposed to high temperatures during gestation and lactation.


RESULTS
Foetal and postnatal exposure to high temperatures did not alter semen characteristics and was associated with a similar fertility rate and number of pups born. Moreover, males showed reduced rate of maturing and carcass traits at adulthood.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that male exposure during the foetal period to high temperatures did not affect sperm quality but permitted an adaptive phenotypic plasticity of growth in adulthood.
Institute of Science and Animal Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València , Valencia .
Francisco
F
Marco-Jiménez
Carmen
C
Naturil-Alfonso
Estrella
E
Jiménez-Trigos
Fernando
F
García-Diego
Raquel
R
Lavara
Jose S
JS
Vicente
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D057231:Climate Change; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000528:radiation effects; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011817:Rabbits; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000528:radiation effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone