Regulation of fetal liver growth in a model of diet restriction in the pregnant rat.

ABSTRACT: Limited nutrient availability is a cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a condition that has important implications for the well being of the offspring. Using the established IUGR model of maternal fasting in the rat, we investigated mechanisms that control gene expression and mRNA translation in late-gestation fetal liver. Maternal fasting for 48 h during the last one-third of gestation was associated with a 10-15% reduction in fetal body weight and a disproportionate one-third reduction in total fetal liver protein. The fetal liver transcriptome showed only subtle changes consistent with reduced cell proliferation and enhanced differentiation in IUGR. Effects on the transcriptome could not be attributed to specific transcription factors. We purified translating polysomes to p

SUBMITTER: Boylan JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5142219 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature