title: Effects of between generations changes in nutrition type on vaginal smear and serum lipids in Sprague-Dawley rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies established that between generations changes in feeding protocol can have significant impact on reproductive physiology. The aim of the study was to determinate effects of mothers' nutrition and nutrition of the offspring on the characteristics of vaginal smear and serum lipid content.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten female rats were randomly divided in two groups; first group fed with food containing high content of saturated fatty acids (HFD) and the second with standard laboratory chow (CD). After coupling and lactation period their offspring were further randomly divided into two subgroups fed HFD or CD forming four study groups: (a) CD-CD, (b) CD-HFD, (c) HFD-CD and (d) HFD-HFD. The dams and offspring at the age of 37 and 18 weeks, respectively, were subjected to biochemical analysis of the blood and cytological analysis of the vaginal smears. Additionally body weight was recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HFD-HFD group presented with highest levels of triglycerides and the CD-HFD with the highest levels of cholesterol. Therefore, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly different among the groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Vaginal cytological smears analysis showed features of irregular phase interchanges or extended estrous phase in offspring of high-fat fed dams.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal HFD consumption predisposes offspring to increased risk of developing metabolic abnormalities and estrous disorders.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine , University of Osijek , Osijek , Croatia .|b Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University Hospital Centre Osijek , Bizovac , Croatia , and.
authors.forename: Anđela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marić
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine , University of Osijek , Osijek , Croatia .
authors.forename: Željka Perić
authors.initials: ŽP
authors.lastname: Kačarević
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine , University of Osijek , Osijek , Croatia .
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Čekić
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medical Biochemistry , University Hospital Centre Osijek , Osijek , Croatia.
authors.forename: Vatroslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Šerić
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine , University of Osijek , Osijek , Croatia .
authors.forename: Radivoje
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Radić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D030762:Estrous Cycle; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000209:etiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids
keywords: Epigenetic; estrous; high-fat diet; offspring