Reduction in maternal circulating ouabain impairs offspring growth and kidney development.

ABSTRACT: Ouabain, a steroid present in the circulation and in various tissues, was shown to affect the growth and viability of various cells in culture. To test for the possible influence of this steroid on growth and viability in vivo, we investigated the involvement of maternal circulating ouabain in the regulation of fetal growth and organ development. We show that intraperitoneal administration of anti-ouabain antibodies to pregnant mice resulted in a >80% decline in the circulating ouabain level. This reduction caused a significant decrease in offspring body weight, accompanied by enlargement of the offspring heart and inhibition of kidney and liver growth. Kidney growth inhibition was manifested by a decrease in the size and number of nephrons. After the reduction in maternal circulating ouab

SUBMITTER: Dvela-Levitt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4413757 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature