Maternal Protein Restriction Differentially Alters the Expression of AQP1, AQP9 and VEGFr-2 in the Epididymis of Rat Offspring

Autor(es)

Cavariani, Marilia Martins ^[1] ; Santos, Talita de Mello ^[1] ; Pereira, Dhrielly Natalia ^[1] ; de Almeida Chuffa, Luiz Gustavo ^[1] ; Felipe Pinheiro, Patricia Fernanda ^[1] ; Scarano, Wellerson Rodrigo ^[2] ; Domeniconi, Raquel Fantin ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Dept Anat, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Dept Morphol, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES; v. 20, n. 3 FEB 1 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 3

Resumo

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. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 16/04085-9 - Desenvolvimento do ducto de Wolffian, diferenciação e padrão vascular do epidídimo de ratos Wistar expostos à restrição proteica durante a gestação e lactação
• Beneficiário: Raquel Fantin Domeniconi
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 15/18767-1 - Efeitos da restrição proteica materna sobre o padrão vascular e expressão de proteínas no epidídimo de ratos Wistar machos em diferentes fases do desenvolvimento pós-natal
• Beneficiário: Marilia Martins Cavariani
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado