title: Perinatal high methyl donor alters gene expression in IGF system in male offspring without altering DNA methylation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of a protein restriction and a supplementation with methyl donor nutrients during fetal and early postnatal life on the expression and epigenetic state of imprinted genes from the IGF system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pregnant female rats were fed a protein-restricted diet supplemented or not with methyl donor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gene expression of theIgf2, H19, Igf1, Igf2randPlagl1genes in the liver of male offspring at birth and weaning was strongly influenced by maternal diet. Whereas the methylation profiles of theIgf2, H19andIgf2rgenes were remarkably stable, DNA methylation ofPlagl1promoter was slightly modified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNA methylation of most, but not all, imprinted gene regulatory regions was resistant to methyl group nutritional supply.
authors.affiliation: UMR PHAN, INRA, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Amarger
authors.affiliation: UMR PHAN, INRA, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giudicelli
authors.affiliation: UMR PHAN, INRA, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagniez
authors.affiliation: UMR PHAN, INRA, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parnet
keywords: DNA methylation; early growth; imprinted genes; methyl donors; nutritional programming; protein restriction