Adverse Placental Perfusion and Pregnancy Outcomes in a New Nonhuman Primate Model of Gestational Protein Restriction.

ABSTRACT: Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy impacts fetal growth, with developmental consequences that extend to later life outcomes. In underdeveloped countries, this malnutrition typically takes the form of poor dietary protein content and quality, even if adequate calories are consumed. Here, we report the establishment of a nonhuman primate model of gestational protein restriction (PR) in order to understand how placental function and pregnancy outcomes are affected by protein deficiency. Rhesus macaques were assigned to either a control diet containing 26% protein or switched to a 13% PR diet prior to conception and maintained on this PR diet throughout pregnancy. Standard fetal biometry, Doppler ultrasound of uteroplacental blood flow, ultrasound-guided amniocentesis, and contrast-enhance

SUBMITTER: Roberts VHJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5993074 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature