Artículos de revistas
Maternal protein restriction differentially alters the expression of AQP1, AQP9 and VEGFr-2 in the epididymis of rat offspring
Fecha
2019-02-01Registro en:
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, v. 20, n. 3, 2019.
1422-0067
1661-6596
10.3390/ijms20030469
2-s2.0-85060525477
5760560970751598
5481756528299469
0000-0003-1452-5708
0000-0003-2938-010X
Autor
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Institución
Resumen
Background: Maternal protein restriction causes sperm alterations in the offspring, most of which are associated with epididymal functions. Because fluid reabsorption/secretion dynamics in the epididymal environment play important roles in the process of sperm maturation and concentration, we investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on the expression of aquaporins (AQP1 and AQP9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFa), and its receptor VEGFr-2 in different stages of postnatal epididymal development. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into groups that received normoprotein (17% protein) and low-protein diets (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. After weaning, male rats only received the standard diet and were euthanized at the predetermined ages of 21, 44 and 120 days. Results: Maternal protein restriction decreased AQP1 and AQP9 expression in the initial segment and caput epididymis compared to the increased expression of these proteins observed in the corpus and cauda at all ages. Although protein restriction reduced the microvasculature density (MVD) on postnatal day (PND) 21 and 44, the MVD was unaltered on PND 120. Conclusions: Maternal protein restriction changed the structure or function of the offspring’s epididymis, specifically by affecting fluid dynamics and vasculogenesis in important stages of epididymis development.