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Intergenerational effects of birth weight on glucose tolerance and reproductive performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2009

A. M. Corson ,
J. Laws ,
J. C. Litten ,
I. J. Lean  and
L. Clarke
A. M. Corson
Affiliation:
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Kent TN25 5AH, UK
J. Laws
Affiliation:
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Kent TN25 5AH, UK
J. C. Litten
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, P.O. Box 237, Earley Gate, Reading, UK
I. J. Lean
Affiliation:
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Kent TN25 5AH, UK
L. Clarke*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Kent TN25 5AH, UK
*
E-mail: lynne.clark@imperial.ac.uk
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Abstract

Women who were themselves small-for-gestational age (SGA) are at a greater risk of adulthood diseases such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and twice at risk of having an SGA baby themselves. The aim of this study was to examine the intergenerational pig. Low (L) and normal (N) birth weight female piglets were followed throughout their first pregnancy (generation 1 (G1)). After they had given birth, the growth and development of the lightest (l) and heaviest (n) female piglet from each litter were monitored until approximately 5 months of age (generation 2 (G2)). A glucose tolerance test (GTT) was conducted on G1 pig at ∼6 months of age and again during late pregnancy; a GTT was also conducted on G2 pigs at ∼4 months of age. G1 L offspring exhibited impaired glucose metabolism in later life compared to their G1 N sibling but in the next generation a similar scenario was only observed between l and n offspring born to G1 L mothers. Despite G1 L mothers showing greater glucose intolerance in late pregnancy and a decreased litter size, average piglet birth weight was reduced and there was also a large variation in litter weight; this suggests that they were, to some extent, prioritising their nutrient intake towards themselves rather than promoting their reproductive performance. There were numerous relationships between body shape at birth and glucose curve characteristics in later life, which can, to some extent, be used to predict neonatal outcome. In conclusion, intergenerational effects are partly seen in the pig. It is likely that some of the intergenerational influences may be masked due to the pig being a litter-bearing species.

Keywords

developmental programmingglucose tolerancelow birth weightporcine biomedical modelreproductive performance
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 3 , Issue 4 , April 2009 , pp. 579 - 591
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2008

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