Modified halloysite nanotubes reduce the toxic effects of zearalenone in gestating sows on growth and muscle development of their offsprings

Background： Zearalenone （ZEN） is an estrogenic mycotoxin that is primarily produced by Fusarium fungi and has been proven to affect the reproductive capacity of many species to varying degrees. The present experiment was designed to study the maternal persistent effects of zearalenone toxicity in gestating sows on growth and muscle development of their offsprings, and the alleviation of zearalenone toxicity by modified halloysite nanotubes （MHNTs）. Methods： Eighteen sows were fed with one of three dietary treatments that included the following： （1） a control diet, （2） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.77 mg/kg ZEN）, and （3） a contaminated grain diet （with 50 % moldy corn, 2.76 mg/kg ZEN） ＋ 1% MHNTs. Each sow was exclusively fed its experimental diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation at a total of 2 kg daily. Muscle samples were collected from six piglets per treatment at birth, weaning and finishing. Results： The results showed that feeding the sows with the ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 d of gestation decreased the ADG, ADFI and G：F of their offsprings （P 〈 0.05）. The muscle fiber numbers in the newborn, weaning and growing-finishing pigs and the muscle fiber diameters at birth and weaning were also decreased by maternal ZEN exposure （P 〈 0.05）. The expressions of IGF-I, IGF-II, Myf-5 and Mstn at birth and IGF-II, Pax7, Myf-5 and MyoD1 at weaning were altered by feeding gestating sows with ZEN-contaminated diets （P 〈 0.05）. The MHNTs reduced most of the ZEN-induced toxic effects： the ADG and ADFI on growth performance, the muscle fiber numbers at weaning and finishing and the muscle fiber diameters at weaning （P 〈 0.05）. The expression levels of IGF-II and Mstn in newborn piglets and IGF-II and Myf-5 in weaning piglets were also prevented by adding 1% MHNTs （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： The present study demonstrated that the offsprings of sows fed with ZEN-contaminated diets from 35 to 70 day of gestation exhibited weakening on growth performance, physiological changes in their muscle fibers and alterations of mRNA expression in their muscle tissues, and also indicated that MHNTs prevented most of the ZEN- induced weakening in the muscle tissues.

Impacts of Passive Smoking on Learning and Memory Ability of Mouse Offsprings and Intervention by Antioxidants

Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation （LTP）. Nitric oxide （NO）, content, nitric oxide synthase （NOS）, acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in serum were determined. The latency period （the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position） and errors （the number of mice entering the blind end） in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days. Results The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke （TS）, and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups （P〈O.05）. LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group （P〈0.05）. Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP. Conclusion Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS （especially vitamin E） partially improve the learning and memory smoke during pregnancy. and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco

Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality of Hainan Black Goat and Its Hybrid Offsprings with Nubian Black Goat

In order to compare the slaughter performance and meat quality of Hainan black goats and hybrid offsprings of Nubian Black Goat and Hainan Black Goat, six 7-month-old Hainan black goats and six hybrid offsprings were selected to determine slaughter performance and muscle quality. The results showed that hybridization of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat significantly improved the production performance and slaughter performance of hybrid offsprings (P>0.05). The meat quality of F1 hybrid black goat had no significant difference with that of Hainan black goat except for the hardness and elasticity (P<0.05). Therefore, the crossbred progenies of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat have advantages in meat yield and meat performance, and the main meat quality indexes are not significantly different, which meets the market requirements for high-yield and high-quality hybrid combinations, and can be used for cross promotion.

Epigenetic modifications of placenta in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their offspring

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development.As a bridge between the mother and the fetus,the placenta has nutrient transport functions,endocrine functions,etc.,and can regulate placental nutrient transport and fetal growth and development according to maternal metabolic status.Only by means of placental transmission can changes in maternal hyperglycemia affect the fetus.There are many reports on the placental pathophysiological changes associated with GDM,the impacts of GDM on the growth and development of offspring,and the prevalence of GDM in offspring after birth.Placental epigenetic changes in GDM are involved in the programming of fetal development and are involved in the pathogenesis of later chronic diseases.This paper summarizes the effects of changes in placental nutrient transport function and hormone secretion levels due to maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the development of offspring as well as the participation of changes in placental epigenetic modifications due to maternal hyperglycemia in intrauterine fetal programming to promote a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of placental epigenetic modifications on the development of offspring from patients with GDM.

Maternal sleep deprivation disrupts glutamate metabolism in offspring rats

Maternal sleep deprivation(MSD)has emerged as a significant public health concern,yet its effects on offspring metabolism remain poorly understood.This study investigated the metabolomic implications of MSD on offspring cognitive development,with a particular focus on alterations in glutamate metabolism.Pregnant rats were subjected to sleep deprivation during late gestation.Plasma and brain samples from their offspring were collected at different postnatal days(P1,P7,P14,and P56)and analyzed using untargeted metabolomics with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in various amino acids,including L-glutamate,L-phenylalanine,L-tyrosine,and L-tryptophan,which are crucial for cognitive function.Subsequent differential analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis(sPLS-DA)demonstrated a gradual reduction in these metabolic differences in the brain as the offspring underwent growth and development.KEGG pathway analysis revealed differential regulation of several pathways,including alanine,aspartate,and glutamate metabolism,glutathione metabolism,arginine biosynthesis,aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis,histidine metabolism,and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,at different developmental stages.Mantel and Spearman analyses indicated that the observed changes in metabolites in MSD progeny may be related to various gut microbes,Ruminococcus_1,Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005,and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group.Biochemical assays further demonstrated developmental changes in the L-glutamate metabolic pathway.Collectively,these findings suggest that MSD not only affects maternal wellbeing but also has enduring metabolic consequences for offspring,particularly impacting pathways linked to cognitive function.This highlights the importance of addressing maternal sleep health to mitigate potential long-term consequences for offspring.

Long-term effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on the pancreas of female mouse offspring

BACKGROUND Prolonged fetal exposure to hyperglycemia may increase the risk of developing abnormal glucose metabolism and type-2 diabetes during childhood,adolescence,and adulthood;however,the mechanisms by which gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)predisposes offspring to metabolic disorders remain unknown.AIM To quantify the nerve axons,macrophages,and vasculature in the pancreas from adult offspring born from mouse dams with GDM.METHODS GDM was induced by i.p.administration of streptozotocin(STZ)in ICR mouse dams.At 12 wk old,fasting blood glucose levels were determined in offspring.At 15 wk old,female offspring born from dams with and without GDM were sacrificed and pancreata were processed for immunohistochemistry.We quantified the density of sensory[calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)]and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)axons,blood vessels(endomucin),and macro-phages(CD68)in the splenic pancreas using confocal microscopy.RESULTS Offspring mice born from STZ-treated dams had similar body weight and blood glucose values compared to offspring born from vehicle-treated dams.However,the density of CGRP+and TH+axons,endomucin+blood vessels,and CD68+macrophages in the exocrine pancreas was significantly greater in offspring from mothers with GDM vs control offspring.Likewise,the microvasculature in the islets was significantly greater,but not the number of macrophages within the islets of offspring born from dams with GDM compared to control mice.CONCLUSION GDM induces neuronal,vascular,and inflammatory changes in the pancreas of adult progeny,which may partially explain the higher propensity for offspring of mothers with GDM to develop metabolic diseases.

Effect of exercise during pregnancy on offspring development through ameliorating high glucose and hypoxia in gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)women require prenatal care to minimize short-and long-term complications.The mechanism by which exercise during pregnancy affects organ development and whether glucose transporter(GLUT)1 plays a role in GDM offspring organ development remains unknown.AIM To determine the effect of exercise during pregnancy on the cardiac,hepatic and renal development of GDM mother’s offspring.METHODS Placenta samples were collected from humans and mice.GDM mouse models were created using streptozotocin along with a GDM with exercise group.The hearts,livers and kidneys of 3-and 8-week-old offspring were collected for body composition analysis and staining.The effects of high glucose levels and hypoxia were investigated using HTR8/SVneo.Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to assess cell migration.Immunofluorescence accompanied with TUNEL and Ki67 staining was used to explore apoptosis and proliferation.RESULTS Exercise during pregnancy downregulated the GLUT1 and hypoxia inducible factor-1αexpression in placenta from individuals with GDM.Cobalt chloride induced hypoxia and high glucose levels also significantly decreased migration and apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells.In addition,exercise reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver and decreased the tubular vacuolar area in the kidneys of offspring.CONCLUSION GDM affects the growth and development of organs in offspring.Exercise during pregnancy can reverse adverse effects of GDM on the development of the heart,liver,and kidney in offspring.

基于活产建立体外受精-胚胎移植精子DNA碎片指数的参考阈值及子代短期安全性

背景:精子DNA碎片指数与受精、胚胎发育潜能、胚胎植入、流产及子代安全性等存在显著的相关性。然而,其临床参考值受多种因素的影响,导致临床意义极其有限,该研究以活产为结局,通过倾向评分匹配校正其他混杂因素后,构建精子DNA碎片指数与活产的最佳临床截断值,并对其进行内外部验证,具有较好的预测价值及临床应用效能。目的:探讨基于活产建立体外受精-胚胎移植精子DNA碎片指数的参考阈值及子代短期安全性。方法:选取2019年5月至2021年5月于常州市妇幼保健院接受体外受精-胚胎移植患者1921例,以倾向匹配容差0.02为标准,1∶1进行倾向评分匹配,结果活产组与非活产组各成功匹配540例,以此建立模型组;通过选取同时期广西壮族自治区南溪山医院接受体外受精-胚胎移植患者135例作为外部验证组;采用受试者工作曲线探求精子DNA碎片指数对活产的临床最佳截断值,分别采用限制性立方样条曲线、标准曲线、临床决策曲线、临床影响曲线及内外部验证等方法,对该截断值的准确性及临床应用效能进行评估。结果与结论:(1)非活产组精子DNA碎片指数显著高于活产组且与活产存在显著的负相关性(r=-0.444,P<0.001);(2)受试者工作曲线结果显示,DNA碎片指数对活产的最佳截断值为24.33%,曲线下面积为0.775(0.746,0.804),特异度为72.60%,敏感度为78.90%,准确度为75.70%;(3)限制性立方样条曲线拟合Logistic回归结果显示,当精子DNA碎片指数大于24.57%时,临床非活产的风险呈趋势性增涨;(4)Logistic回归概率分析结果显示,精子DNA碎片指数为活产的危险因素[OR(95%CI)=0.916(0.904,0.928),P<0.001],且当精子DNA碎片指数大于27.78%时,临床活产发生的概率将小于50%,随着精子DNA碎片指数每增高1个单位,活产的概率下降8.4%;(5)内外部对该临床截断值的验证均显示,该截点具有一定的临床预测价值及准确性;(6)临床决策曲线与临床影响曲线显示,以该临床截断值建立的预测模型在阈概率为0.22-0.73时具有临床最大净获益值,且在该阈概率范围内损失与获益的比值始终小于1,证实该预测模型具有较好的临床应用效能;(7)精子DNA碎片指数与子代短期安全性分析结果显示,精子DNA碎片指数与出生儿早产、体质量、畸形、性别差异无显著性;(8)结果表明,精子DNA碎片指数对体外受精-胚胎移植活产的最佳临床截断值为24.33%,以此建立的临床预测模型具有较好的区分度、准确度与临床应用效能,精子DNA碎片指数对子代短期安全性影响并不显著,但仍需大样本及长期的追踪评估。

Outcomes for offspring of men having ICSI for male factor infertility

Since the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） using single sperm isolated from testicular tissue in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, or using ejaculated sperm in those with poor semen quality, there have been concerns that this might have adverse effects on the offspring compared to conventional in vitrofertilisation （IVF） and natural conceptions. ICSI is done for reasons other than male factor infertility, and on the whole has not been shown to have any more negative effects than those seen with IVF. There have however, been very few studies of ICSI with a focus on, or large enough numbers to examine, the specific outcomes associated with male factor infertility. From the limited information available in relation to the source of the sperm and aetiology of infertility in the presence of ICSI, there appears to be no increased risk of congenital malformations. There is, however, a small increase in both de novoand inherited chromosome abnormalities. In terms of growth and neurodevelopment, there are very few studies, and so far, no adverse outcomes have been found in young children whose fathers have a sperm defect. The origin of the sperm used in ICSI does not have a major influence on the early life outcomes for the offspring, but transgenerational and epigenetic effects remain unknown. When the male factor infertility is known or thought to be due to a Y-chromosome deletion, this information should be given to the young male offspring at a time that will ensure his own reproductive health and plans are optimized.

Effects of High Fluoride and Low Iodine on Thyroid Function in Offspring Rats

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.

Offspring of rats with cerebral hypoxia-ischemia manifest cognitive dysfunction in learning and memory abilities

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a serious neurological disease,often resulting in long-term neurodevelopmental disorders among surviving children.However,whether these neurodevelopmental issues can be passed to offspring remains unclear.The right common carotid artery of 7-day-old parental-generation rats was subjected to permanent ligation using a vessel electrocoagulator.Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat models were established by subjecting the rats to 8%O2–92%N2 for 2 hours.The results showed that 24 hours after hypoxia and ischemia,pathological damage,cerebral atrophy,liquefaction,and impairment were found,and Zea-Longa scores were significantly increased.The parental-generation rats were propagated at 3 months old,and offspring were obtained.No changes in the overall brain structures of these offspring rats were identified by magnetic resonance imaging.However,the escape latency was longer and the number of platform crossings was reduced among these offspring compared with normal rats.These results indicated that the offspring of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy model rats displayed cognitive impairments in learning and memory.This study was approved by the Animal Care&Welfare Committee of Kunming Medical University,China in 2018(approval No.kmmu2019072).

Association of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus with overweight/obesity and fatty liver risk in offspring

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity and fatty liver are associated with adverse outcomes such as diabetes,metabolic syndrome,and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.It is very important to identify relevant risk factors and intervene as early as possible.At present,the relationship between maternal and offspring metabolic factors is conflicting.AIM To estimate the association of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)with overweight/obesity and fatty liver risk in offspring at 8 years of age.METHODS The prospective study included mothers who all had a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 wk of gestation and whose offspring completed follow-up at 8 years of age.Offspring birth weight,sex,height,weight,and body mass index(BMI)were measured and calculated.FibroScan-502 examination with an M probe(Echosens,Paris,France)was prospectively conducted in offspring aged 8 years from the Shanghai Prenatal Cohort Study.RESULTS A total of 430 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis.A total of 62(14.2%)mothers were classified as obese,and 48(11.1%)were classified as having GDM.The mean age of the offspring at follow-up was 8 years old.Thirty-seven(8.6%)offspring were overweight,14(3.3%)had obesity,and 60(14.0%)had fatty liver.The prevalence of overweight,obesity and fatty liver in offspring increased significantly across maternal BMI quartiles(all P<0.05).Among offspring of mothers with GDM,12(25.0%)were overweight,4(8.3%)were obese,and 12(25.0%)had fatty liver vs.25(6.5%),10(2.6%)and 48(12.6%),respectively,for offspring of mothers without GDM(all P<0.05).In multiple logistic regression,after adjustment for variables,the OR for fatty liver in offspring was 8.26(95%CI:2.38-28.75)for maternal obesity and GDM.CONCLUSION This study showed that maternal obesity can increase the odds of overweight/obesity and fatty liver in offspring,and GDM status also increases the odds of overweight/obesity in offspring.Weight management and glycemic control before and during pregnancy need to be highlighted in primary prevention of pediatric obesity and fatty liver.

Enriched environment for offspring improves learning and memory impairments induced by sevoflurane exposure during the second trimester of pregnancy

Studies in animals indicate that sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy has harmful effects on the learning and memory of offspring.Whether an enriched environment can reverse the damage of sevoflurane exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy on the learning and memory of rat offspring remains unclear.In this study,rats at 14 days of pregnancy were exposed to 3.5%sevoflurane for 2 hours and their offspring were treated with an enriched environment for 20 successive days.We found that the enriched environment for offspring increased nestin and Ki67 levels in hippocampal tissue,increased hippocampal neurogenesis,inhibited glycogen synthase kinase 3βactivity,and increased the expression of cell proliferation-relatedβ-catenin and apoptosis-related Bcl-2,indicating that an enriched environment reduces sevoflurane-induced damage by increasing the proliferation of stem cells in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that an enriched environment can reverse the effects of sevoflurane inhaled by rats during the second trimester of pregnancy on learning and memory of offspring.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University(approval No.2018PS07K)on January 2,2018.

Association between Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Offspring Neuropsychological Development from 1 to 24 Months of Age: A Birth Cohort Study in China

Objective To explore the interactions between pre-pregnancy body mass index(BMI) and age on offspring neuropsychological development from 1 to 24 months in China.Methods In this birth cohort study, a total of 2,253 mother-child pairs were enrolled in Tianjin, China,between July 2015 and May 2018. The China Developmental Scale for Children was used to assess developmental quotient(DQ) of children aged from 1 to 24 months.Results Mixed-models analysis revealed significant age × pre-pregnancy BMI interactions for total DQ and five neurobehavioral domains(gross motor, fine motor, adaptive, language, and social;P < 0.001).Age × pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m^2 was associated with a negative effect on total DQ and five neurobehavioral domains, as compared to pre-pregnancy BMI < 25 kg/m^2(P < 0.01). Multiple comparisons showed pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m^2 of mothers had a positive effect on child total DQ at the age of 1 month but a negative effect at 24 months(P < 0.05).Conclusions This study supported the age × pre-pregnancy BMI interaction on offspring neuropsychological development. It also revealed a short-term positive impact of high pre-pregnancy BMI on neuropsychological development at 1 month of age, but a long-term negative effect(from 1 to24 months).

Analysis of the Offspring Sex Ratio of Chicken by Using Molecular Sexing

The overall sex ratio of offspring （dead embryos and hatch chicks） from all the fertilized eggs of 140 hens collected for 30 days was studied using duplex PCR of certain fragments of sex chromosomes. Additional 894 dead embryos over a period of 21 days of incubation were also investigated to verify the sex ratio of the dead embryos. The sex of the early dead embryos was identified using this molecular sexing technique. The sex ratio of the hatch chicks and the total offspring of the hens investigated in this experiment did not differ from the expected sex ratio （i.e., 1：1）., However, the number of female dead embryos was significantly more than that of males. The data indicated that the different physiologic function of males and females contributed to female-biased mortality during incubation. It was also found by further analysis that the sex ratios of the offspring of some hens were significantly biased to female or male over the period investigated, which suggested that the sex ratio of offspring might be influenced by the maternal condition to some degrees.

Intrauterine Exposure to Chronic 22 kHz Sound Affects Inhibitory Avoidance and Serotonergic Parameters in Forebrain Areas of Dams and Rat Offspring

In the present study we evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to sounds at 22 kHz during pregnancy on the central serotonergic and behavioral parameters in Wistar rat dams after the suckling period and on their male rat offspring. In addition, we also assessed the effects of an acute 22 kHz sound, associated with the chronic intrauterine exposure, on the emotional responses of adult offspring. The primary hypothesis was that experiencing 22 kHz stimuli during an early stage of development would interfere with brain serotonergic parameters and, later, with the adult rat’s defensive responses. The corollary question was whether a 22 kHz sound exposure would differentially affect inhibitory avoidance and escape responses and central serotonergic parameters. Female rats were divided into four groups: non-pregnant control;non-pregnant chronic exposure;pregnant control;and pregnant chronic exposure. Male offspring were divided into four groups: chronic intrauterine sound exposure;acute sound exposure in adulthood;chronic intrauterine exposure with acute exposure in adulthood;and no exposure. Chronic sound exposure affected inhibitory avoidance and serotonergic parameters in female rats. For offspring, there was an interaction between chronic and acute sound exposure effects on inhibitory avoidance response but not on escape response. There were significant effects of chronic intrauterine exposure on serotonin turnover in the hippocampus and PFC of females. For offspring, the turnover was increased by chronic exposure only in PFC, and in amygdala it was increased by acute exposure. These results illuminate the potential of an early acoustic sound exposure for causing central serotonergic and emotional behavioral changes that can persist into later periods of life.

Maternal Separation Affects Mothers’ Affective and Reproductive Behaviors as Well as Second Offspring’s Emotionality

Daily separation of rat pups from their mothers while the preweaning period has an impact on behavior and stress response of pups. We hypothesized that maternal separation may create a depression-like state in mother rats from which we separate the rat pups and decrease their reproductive function and fertility. Also, we aimed to evaluate the transmission degree of depression and anxiety across generations. Females aged 3 months were divided in two groups of 10 rats each. After a first mating and a first parturition, we conducted maternal separation 3 h during 22 days for the experienced group while the control group mothers kept their pups. At 4 months of age, females underwent behavioral tests and a second mating. Second generation’s pups were also subjected to behavioral tests. Behavioral tests showed that mothers which experienced separation were more depressive and anxious than control ones, also they had a lower litter size. Rats pups of the second generation whose mothers experienced maternal separation also revealed behavior changes akin to depression and anxiety. Thus, maternal separation causes depressive and anxious-likestates on mother rats which experienced separation and has an impact on their litter size. Also, consequences of maternal separation seem to last throughout generations.

Transfer of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate from sows to their offspring and its impact on muscle fiber type transformation and performance in pigs

Background： Previous studies suggested that supplementation of lactating sows with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate（HMB） could improve the performance of weaning pigs, but there were little information in the muscle fiber type transformation of the offspring and the subsequent performance in pigs from weaning through finishing in response to maternal HMB consumption. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing lactating sows with HMB on skeletal muscle fiber type transformation and growth of the offspring during d 28 and180 after birth. A total of 20 sows according to their body weight were divided into the control（CON, n = 10） or HMB groups（HMB, n = 10）. Sows in the HMB group were supplemented with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate calcium（HMB-Ca） 2 g/kg feed during d 1 to 27 of lactation. After weaning, 48 mixed sex piglets were blocked by sow treatment and fed standard diets for post-weaning, growing, finishing periods. Growth performance was recorded during d 28 to 180 after birth. Pigs were slaughtered on d 28（n = 6/treatment） and 180（n = 6/treatment） postnatal and the longissimus dorsi（LD） was collected, respectively.Results： The HMB-fed sows during lactation showed increased HMB concentration（P ＆lt; 0.05） in milk and LD of weaning piglets（P ＆lt; 0.05）. In addition, offsprings in HMB group had a higher finishing BW and lean percentage than did pigs in CON group（P ＆lt; 0.05）, meanwhile, compared with pigs from sows fed the CON diet, pigs from sows fed HMB diet showed higher type Ⅱ muscle fiber cross-sectional area（CSA）, elevated myosin heavy chain（MyHC） Ⅱb and Sox6 mRNA, and fast-MyHC protein levels in LD（P ＆lt; 0.05）.Conclusions： HMB supplemented to sow diets throughout lactation increases the levels of HMB in maternal milk and skeletal muscle of pigs during d 28 after birth and promotes subsequent performance of pigs between d 28 and 180 of age by enhancing glycolytic muscle fiber transformation.

Associations of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain with Offspring Obesity Risk

Objective Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and gestational weight gain(GWG)are important risk factors that are known to affect offspring growth,but these outcomes are inconsistent and it remains unknown if both risk factors have a synergetic effect on early childhood growth.The present study aimed to conduct offspring body mass index-for-age Z-scores(BMIZ)trajectories and to evaluate the independent and interactive effect of the status of GDM and excessive GWG on the risks of overweight/obesity from birth to 24 months of age.Methods A total of 7949 mother-child pairs were enrolled in this study.The weight and length of children were measured at birth,6,12,and 24 months of age to calculate BMIZ.Results The status of GDM was positively associated with offspring BMIZ and risk of macrosomia at birth but was not associated with offspring BMIZ or the risks of overweight/obesity at 6,12,and 24 months of age.In contrast,excessive GWG was positively linked to offspring BMIZ,the stable high BMIZ trajectory pattern,and risks of overweight/obesity in the first 24 months of age.These two risk factors also had a significant synergistic effect on macrosomia at birth,but the interactive effect was only significant in boys during the follow-up years in the sex-stratified analyses.Conclusion The maternal GWG was a more pronounced predictor than GDM with relation to BMIZ and risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood.The interactive effect between these risk factors on offspring overweight/obesity may vary by sex.

Microglia activation in the offspring of prenatal Poly I:C exposed rats:a PET imaging and immunohistochemistry study

Background The well-known ‘pyrotherapy’ of Julius Wagner-Jauregg might be the beginning of the study on the immunological concepts of schizophrenia. As the primary immune effector cells in the brain, microglia play a pivotal role in neuroinfammatory processes. Maternal viral infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for psychiatric disorders with presumed neurodevelopmental origin, including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The present study was to quantify microglia activation in vivo in the mature offspring of rats exposed to polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidilicacid （Poly I：C） during pregnancy using ^11C-PK11195 positron emission tomography （PET） and immunohistochemistry.Objective The study aimed to quantify microglia activation in vivo in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in mature offspring of prenatal Poly I：C exposed rats.Methods Offspring of Poly I：C-treated dams were the model group, offspring of saline-treated dams were the control group. Behavioural test for two groups was taken by spontaneous activity, prepulse inhibition （PPI） and latent inhibition （LI） test （including active avoidance conditioning task and passive avoidance conditioning task）. Randomly selected successful model rats were assessed by behavioural test in the model group and control group rats. 11C-PK11195 micro-PET/CT and immunohistochemistry were performed on the selected rats to measure microglia activation.Results The treatment group showed hyperlocomotion and defcits in PPI and LI compared with the control group. The treatment group also showed an increased 11C-PK11195 uptake ratio in the prefrontal cortex （t=-3.990, p=0.003） and hippocampus （t=-4.462, p=0.001）. The number of activated microglia cells was signifcantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group （hippocampus： t=8.204, p〈0.001; prefrontal： t=6.995, p〈0.001）. Within the treatment group, there were signifcant correlations between the behavioural parameters and the activation of microglia as measured by PET and immunohistochemistry.Conclusions The present study demonstrated microglia activation in vivo in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in mature offspring of prenatal Poly I：C exposed rats. This study suggests that microglia activation may play a possible or potential role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.