Intrauterine growth restriction transiently delays alveolar formation and disrupts retinoic acid receptor expression in the lung of female rat pups.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We showed that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases distal airspace wall thickness at birth (postnatal age 0; P0) in rat pups (saccular stage of lung development). However, that report did not assess whether the saccular phenotype persisted postnatally or occurred in males or females, nor did the report identify a potential molecular pathway for the saccular phenotype at P0. We hypothesized that IUGR persistently delays alveolar formation and disrupts retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mRNA and protein levels in the lung of rat pups in a postnatal age- and sex-specific manner.

Methods

IUGR was induced in pregnant rats by bilateral uterine artery ligation. Alveolar formation and expression of RARα, -β, and -γ were quantified at P0, P6 (alveolar stage), and P2

SUBMITTER: Joss-Moore L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4021738 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature