• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.341-350
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• 2016

Background: Prenatal exposure to infectious and/or inflammatory insults can increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia later in life. We investigated whether Valeriana fauriei (VF) treatment alleviates prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits and social interaction impairment induced by maternal immune activation (MIA). Methods and Results: Pregnant mice were exposed to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (5 mg/kg, viral infection mimic) on gestational day 9. The adolescent offspring received daily oral treatment with VF (100 mg/kg) and injections of clozapine (5 mg/kg) for 30 days starting on the postnatal day 35. The effects of VF extract treatment on behavioral activity impairment and protein expression were investigated using the PPI analysis, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), social interaction test (SIT), and immunohistochemistry. The MIA-induced offspring showed deficits in the PPI, FST, OFT, and SIT compared to their non MIA-induced counterparts. Treatment with the VF extract significantly recovered the sensorimotor gating deficits and partially recovered the aggressive behavior observed in the SIT. The VF extract also reversed the downregulation of protein expression induced by MIA in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: Our results provide initial evidence of the fact that the VF extract could reverse MIA-induced behavioral impairment and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.729-732
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• 2000

Weight records from birth to calving and calving scores of 407 two-year old heifers and weights of their offspring from birth to one year of age were used to study the effects of sire birth weight on maternal traits of their female progeny. The heifers (G1) were the progeny of 81 sires (G0) and were classified into three classes based on their sires' birth weights (High, Medium and Low). The heifers were from three distinct breed-groups and were mated to bulls with medium birth weights within each breed-group to produce the second generation (G2). The data were analyzed using a covariance model. The female progeny of high birth-weight sires were heavier from birth to calving than those sired by medium and low birth-weight bulls. The effect of sire birth weight on calving difficulty scores of their female progeny was not significant. Grand progeny (G2) of low birth-weight sires were lighter at birth than those from high birth-weight sires (p<0.05) but they did not differ significantly in weaning and yearling weights with the other two Grand progeny groups. The results indicated that using low birth weight sires would not result in an increase in the incidence of dystocia among their female progeny calving at two-year of age and would not have an adverse effect on weaning and yearling weights of their grand progeny.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1536-1544
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• 2013

A least squares regression interval mapping model was derived to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) with a unique mode of genomic imprinting, polar overdominance (POD), under a breed cross design model in outbred mammals. Tests to differentiate POD QTL from Mendelian, paternal or maternal expression QTL were also developed. To evaluate the power of the POD models and to determine the ability to differentiate POD from non-POD QTL, phenotypic data, marker data and a biallelic QTL were simulated on 512 F2 offspring. When tests for Mendelian versus parent-of-origin expression were performed, most POD QTL were classified as partially imprinted QTL. The application of the series of POD tests showed that more than 90% and 80% of medium and small POD QTL were declared as POD type. However, when breed-origin alleles were segregating in the grand parental breeds, the proportion of declared POD QTL decreased, which was more pronounced in a mating design with a small number of parents ($F_0$ and $F_1$). Non-POD QTL, i.e. with Mendelian or parent-of-origin expression (complete imprinting) inheritance, were well classified (>90%) as non-POD QTL, except for QTL with small effects and paternal or maternal expression in the design with a small number of parents, for which spurious POD QTL were declared.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1695-1704
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• 2014

Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy may give rise to female offspring with disrupted ovary functions in adult age. Neonatal ovary development predisposes adult ovary function, yet the effect of maternal nutrition on the neonatal ovary has not been described. Therefore, here we show the impact of maternal protein restriction on the expression of folliculogenic and steroidogenic genes, their regulatory microRNAs and promoter DNA methylation in the ovary of neonatal piglets. Sows were fed either standard-protein (SP, 15% crude protein) or low-protein (LP, 7.5% crude protein) diets throughout gestation. Female piglets born to LP sows showed significantly decreased ovary weight relative to body weight (p<0.05) at birth, which was accompanied with an increased serum estradiol level (p<0.05). The LP piglets demonstrated higher ratio of bcl-2 associated X protein/B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 mRNA (p<0.01), which was associated with up-regulated mRNA expression of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) (p<0.05) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (p<0.05). The steroidogenic gene, cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1) was significantly down-regulated (p<0.05) in LP piglets. The alterations in ovarian gene expression were associated with a significant down-regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA expression (p<0.05) in LP piglets. Moreover, three microRNAs, including miR-423-5p targeting both CYP19A1 and PCNA, miR-378 targeting CYP19A1 and miR-210 targeting BMP4, were significantly down-regulated (p<0.05) in the ovary of LP piglets. These results suggest that microRNAs are involved in mediating the effect of maternal protein restriction on ovarian function through regulating the expression of folliculogenic and steroidogenic genes in newborn piglets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2847-2850
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• 2014

Background: Retinoblastoma is a rare malignant intraocular neoplasm. About 90% of cases feature a germline mutation in the RB1 gene and these will develop retinoblastoma during their early childhood. An association between mutations in germline cells and aging has been demonstrated. This suggests a higher incidence of childhood cancer including retinoblastoma among children of older parents. Materials and Methods: In the present study we aimed to determine the association of paternal and maternal age with an increased risk of retinoblastoma in a case-control study in Iranian population. The study was carried out on 240 persons who were born during 1984-2012 in Mahak and Mofid hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The statistical analysis included studying the mean age of parents and in order to know whether parental age of patients is different from parental age of control group, (t-test) compare averages test is used perfectly. By binary logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: The results of statistical analysis including the study of mean parental age by the use of (t-test) compare averages test showed a significant difference between parental ages of patients and controls. Logistic regression showed that coefficients were significant for maternal but not paternal age. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that advanced maternal age can increase the risk of retinoblastoma in offspring, but the paternal age has no significant effect.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

It is known that maternal diabetes induces a premature delivery and a congenital malformation. Although it was suggested that hyperglycemia is a main cause, little has been known. The effects of subtotal pancreactomized animal as a diabetic model on the embryo and the offspring were investigated. 1) Although survival rate of offsprings from the 90% pancreactomized female was lower than that of control, body weight of the survived offsprings was similar to that of control until 6 weeks after birth. When the liver was investigated, abnormal tissue was observed in both female and male offsprings from the pancreactomized mother. The level of major urinary protein(MUP) that is synthesized in the liver and secrets into urine was decreased in both female and male, supporting the liver abnormality. 2) In the pancreactomized female, size of the Langhan's island was increased and the liver also was observed abnormal. However, blood glucose level of the pancreactomized mother was not different from that of control. The low body weight and survival rate of offsprings from the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was very similar to those of the offsprings from diabetic mother. Thus when the mother itself was investigated after DNA injection, blood glucose level in the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was not different from that of control although size of the Langhan's island was decreased. Taken together, subtotal pancreactomy affected the offspring and embryo and influenced deeply the mother itself. However glucose level of the mother was not changed during investigation. It suggested that the relationship between the diabetic mother and embryo through offspring is very complex.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.205-209
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• 2006

Genetic change from broodstock to hatchery stock of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and effective number of breeders (Ne) were investigated by the different fertilized-egg collecting methods; E1 (eggs collected one day after spawning) and E2 (eggs collected two days after spawning) using seven microsatellite loci (Kop2, Kop22, Kop18, Kop3, Kop21, Kop9 and Kop26) for the better understanding of stock enhancement. Observed heterozygosity in three stocks ranged from 0.651 at Kop3 to 0.928 at Kop22, with offspring being slightly higher heterozygous over their parents. However, the genetic reduction of offspring was significant. The offspring allele number per locus was reduced to 23.5% for E1 and 17.6% for E2 of their maternal number. Ne to the hatchery stock was estimated to be 21.9 for E1 and 34.3 for E2. The inbreeding coefficients of populations El and E2 were 0.023 and 0.015, respectively. The present study suggests the extension of the egg collection period for a recovery of the genetic diversity in artificially produced offspring.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.229-238
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• 2000

The purpose of reproductive toxicity studies is to evaluate all effects resulting from paternal or maternal exposure that interfere with conception, development, birth, and maturation of offspring. In 1966, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) published guidelines for a three-segment study for drug testing to examine adverse effects on fertility and pregnancy. Three segments were proposed: Segment I, Study of Fertility and General Reproductive Performance, to provide information on breeding, fertility, nidation, parturition, neonatal effects and lactation: Segment II, Teratological study, to provide information on embryo toxicity and teratogenicity: and Segment III. perinatal and Postnatal Study, to provide information on late fetal development, labour and delivery, neonatal viability, and growth and lactation. The classic guideline is still used to this day with only monor modification throughout the world. In the present review, the principles and methods of reproductive toxicity studies are discussed with special attention given to scientific issues.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2023

Antibiotics are frequently administered during pregnancy. Although necessary to address acute infections, their use facilitates antibiotic resistance. Other associations have also been found with the use of antibiotics, such as perturbations of gut bacteria, delays in microbial maturation, and increased risks of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Little is known about how the prenatal and perinatal administration of antibiotics to mothers affects the clinical outcomes of their offspring. A literature search was conducted of the Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed engines. The retrieved articles were reviewed by two authors and verified for relevance. The primary outcome was the effect of pre- and perinatal maternal antibiotic use on clinical outcomes. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. Various aspects are discussed, including infections, allergies, obesity, and psychosocial factors. In animal studies, antibiotic intake during pregnancy has been suggested to cause long-term alterations in immune regulation. In humans, associations have been found between antibiotic intake during pregnancy and different types of infections and an increased risk of pediatric infection-related hospitalization. A dose-dependent positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use and asthma severity has been reported in animal and human studies, while positive associations with atopic dermatitis and eczema were reported by human studies. Multiple associations were identified between antibiotic intake and psychological problems in animal studies; however, relevant data from human studies are limited. However, one study reported a positive association with autism spectrum disorders. Multiple animal and human studies reported a positive association between pre- and perinatal antibiotic use by mothers and diseases in their offspring. Our findings have potentially significant clinical relevance, particularly considering the implications for health during infancy and later in life as well as the related economic burden.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.435-439
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• 2000

Records of weight, age, body condition at calving and udder characteristics scores of 425 beef cows and birth weights and periodical weights of their offspring from birth to weaning were analyzed to study the effect of body weight, condition and udder characteristic scores of dams on birth weight and Preweaning growth of their offspring. Dam's body condition (fat reserve) at calving were scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=extremely thin and 5=extremely fat) and dam's udder characteristics were scored on a scale of 1 to 7 (l=udder well attached with small teats and 7=at least one quarters not functional). Dams were from three distinct breed groups and were mated in single sire mating groups within each breed group for 45 days. Within each breed group and year, the dams were classified into high, medium and low based on their weights at the time of parturition. The data were analysed using covariance analysis. In general, calves born to heavier dams were heavier at birth and had higher rate of Preweaning growth. The effect of dam's body condition score on the calf birth weight was not significant. However, cows with average body condition score of 2.5 or 3.0 gave birth to calves that had higher pre weaning growth rates up to weaning than those born to calves with higher body condition score. The udder characteristics score did not affect calf birth weight as expected; however, cows with udder score of 3 (udder well attached with large teats) produced calves with higher preweaning growth rate than those with smaller teats. Based on the results, it can be concluded that maintaining animals with average body condition and weight would result in more efficient calf production. In addition, cows with well attached udder and large teats would provide a better maternal environment for Preweaning growth rates of their calves.