Project description:We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in the fetal lung late in gestation, from mothers that had been fed normal chow, high fibre, or acetate in the drinking water. The experiment was designed to examine the hypothesis that metabolites of the mother i.e. acetate could cross the placenta and influence gene transcription in the fetus. Diets used were "Normal chow" (NC) (8720310), or "High-fiber" (SF11-025) (Specialty feeds, Perth, Australia. Acetate (200 mM) was provided in the drinking water and refreshed three times per week. Gene expression in the lung may be affected by metabolites in utero. We examined whole lung of E21 fetuses from high-fiber fed mothers, normal chow fed mothers and acetate in drinking water fed mothers. Added fibre in the diet, or acetate in drinking water, would allow simple comparison with normal chow fed mothers, to determine whether fibre/acetate affected gene transcription in the fetal lung.
Project description:We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in the fetal lung late in gestation, from mothers that had been fed normal chow, high fibre, or acetate in the drinking water. The experiment was designed to examine the hypothesis that metabolites of the mother i.e. acetate could cross the placenta and influence gene transcription in the fetus. Diets used were "Normal chow" (NC) (8720310), or "High-fiber" (SF11-025) (Specialty feeds, Perth, Australia. Acetate (200 mM) was provided in the drinking water and refreshed three times per week.
Project description:Mice were fed either a control diet, high fibre diet or a diet supplemented with acetate for 3 weeks. Heart (left ventricle) and spleen tissues were harvested for DNA methylation analysis.
Project description:Maternal obesity programs the offspring to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and obesity. We sequenced and profiled the cardiac miRNAs that were dysregulated in the hearts of baboon fetuses born to a high fat / high fructose diet fed mothers compared to a regular diet fed mothers. Fetal hearts were collected from baboon fetuses born to obese and lean mothers, total RNA was isolated, and fetal cardiac miRNA were sequenced and profiled
Project description:We report circadian (time series, circadian time 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 21h) transcriptomic analysis of mouse fetal (embryonic day 17) suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) from either sham operarated ad libitum fed mothers (group A) or from SCN-lesioned mothers on resctricted feeding regime. The analysis revealed low amplitude rhythms in the fetal SCN driven by maternal SCN and/or maternal feeding behavior.
Project description:We investigated the effects on the lungs during fetal in the offspring of asthmatic mothers. Lung ILC2 of offspring of asthmatic mothers altered phenotypically during fetal life.
Project description:[Background] Antenatal steroid (ACS) therapy conveys lifesaving benefits to the preterm fetus. However, current treatments are associated with increased risk of growth, endocrine, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. [Objectives] To inform ACS therapy optimisation we used a sheep model of pregnancy to test whether adverse fetal brain effects were independent of respiratory benefit and ACS pharmacokinetics. [Study Design] Ewes carrying a single fetus received intramuscular injections of either: i) 2 x 12mg dexamethasone phosphate 12 hourly (DexP) (Dex High); ii) 4 x 1.5mg DexP 12 hourly (Dex Low); iii) 1 x 0.125mg/kg betamethasone acetate (Beta-Acetate); or iv) Saline (Negative Control). Lambs were delivered for ventilation after 48 hours. Hippocampal and lung tissues were subjected to RNA sequencing. [Results] Dex High treatment did not mature the preterm ovine lung. Pulsatile (Dex High and Dex Low) treatments caused hippocampal RNA changes consistent with neuronal death. Constant, low-amplitude treatment (Beta Acetate) significantly improved lung function, with few adverse RNA transcriptional changes in the fetal hippocampus. [Conclusions] All ACS exposures caused significant alterations in fetal homeostasis. Pulsatile exposures caused dose-independent neurodegenerative changes in the fetal hippocampus. These data highlight the importance of considering magnitude, duration and stability of fetal glucocorticoid exposures in optimising ACS therapy.
Project description:Accumulating evidences suggest that sex affects lung development. During the fetal period, male lung maturation is delayed compared with female and surfactant production appears earlier in female than in male fetal lungs. We analyzed by microarrays the expression of genes showing a sexual difference and those modulated by endogenous androgens (flutamide). Following flutamide or vehicle administration to pregnant mothers, fetal mouse lungs were studied at gestational day 17 (GD17) and GD18. RNA was extracted and hybridized on Affymetrix microarrays.
Project description:Maternal obesity programs the offspring to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and obesity. We sequenced and profiled the cardiac miRNAs that were dysregulated in the hearts of baboon fetuses born to a high fat / high fructose diet fed mothers compared to a regular diet fed mothers.
