Reproduction Abstracts

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) proliferate by self-renewal and hold much promise for regenerative medicine since they have the potential to develop into all cells of the body. In culture, hESCs are difficult to maintain as they have a propensity to spontaneously differentiate. A low, 5% oxygen concentration (hypoxia) promotes hESC maintenance but the mechanisms which regulate this effect are unknown. We hypothesise that changes in environmental oxygen alter the expression ...

Human and animal models have demonstrated the importance of maternal gestational diet for fetal growth, placental function and long-term offspring health. However, the impact of paternal diet on offspring development remains under-investigated. We have demonstrated that a paternal low protein diet (LPD 9% protein), programmes elevated offspring weight at birth, adult adiposity, glucose intolerance and cardiovascular dysfunction when compared to offspring from control normal pr...

Introduction: Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy is detrimental to fetal development and increases the risk of many chronic diseases in later life i.e. neurological consequences such as increased risk of schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown maternal protein malnutrition during pregnancy and lactation compromises brain development in late gestation and after birth, affecting structural, biochemical and pathway dynamics with lasting consequences for motor and cognitive...

Introduction: The continued decline in fertility is a multifactorial problem and has severe adverse impact on a farm’s profitability. Under-nutrition during pregnancy can subsequently affect the cardiovascular system, renal function and fertility in the offspring. This study tested the hypothesis that maternal protein restriction would adversely affect fetal ovarian development and number of germ cells.Methods: Fourteen Scottish Blackface ewes were ...

Introduction: Maternal androgen excess in pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like phenotype in female offspring. We previously demonstrated a hyperinsulinaemic offspring phenotype in response to maternal androgen excess, but such regimens also increase estradiol concentrations, and may effect adrenal steroidogenesis, hence the role of androgens remains unclear.Materials and Methods: To examine contributions of different steroid classes, and to determine if...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy that is associated with hyperandrogenism- and an adverse metabolic profile including obesity and insulin resistance. Women with PCOS and raised androgen levels exhibit reduced postprandial thermogenesis and this is thought to predispose women with PCOS to weight gain (Robinson et al., 1992, Clin Endocrinol 36: 537–543). Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is important in the dissipation of energy in the form of heat and c...