Developmental Programming in Animal Models: Critical Evidence of Current Environmental Negative Changes.

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) approach answers questions surrounding the early events suffered by the mother during reproductive stages that can either partially or permanently influence the developmental programming of children, predisposing them to be either healthy or exhibit negative health outcomes in adulthood. Globally, vulnerable populations tend to present high obesity rates, including among school-age children and women of reproductive age. In addition, adults suffer from high rates of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and other metabolic diseases. The increase in metabolic outcomes has been associated with the combination of maternal womb conditions and adult lifestyle-related factors such as malnutrition and obesity, smoking habits, and alcoholism. However, to date, "new environmental changes" have recently been considered negative factors of development, such as maternal sedentary lifestyle, lack of maternal attachment during lactation, overcrowding, smog, overurbanization, industrialization, noise pollution, and psychosocial stress experienced during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to recognize how all these factors impact offspring development during pregnancy and lactation, a period in which the subject cannot protect itself from these mechanisms. This review aims to introduce the importance of studying DOHaD, discuss classical programming studies, and address the importance of studying new emerging programming mechanisms, known as actual lifestyle factors, during pregnancy and lactation.

Different Protein Sources in the Maternal Diet of the Rat during Gestation and Lactation Affect Milk Composition and Male Offspring Development during Adulthood.

Protein sources in maternal diet are important for mammary gland differentiation and milk protein; however, few studies have examined the metabolic and cellular adaptations of mothers based on protein source diets during pregnancy and lactation, and leptin concentration in offspring. We evaluated metabolic parameters and maternal key organs and milk components in mothers at the end of lactation, who were fed different sources of proteins. In postnatal day 110 and 250, we studied development parameters and leptin in male offspring. Female rats received a Vegetal (V) or Animal (A) diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring ate V diet until postnatal day 250, which yielded two groups: Vv and Av. Milk dry, protein and fat were analyzed. Maternal metabolic parameters, leptin, and liver, adipose tissue and mammary gland histological analyses were studied. Body weight, food intake and leptin were analyzed in offspring at two ages. Adipose tissue weight and cells size and liver fat, mammary gland apoptosis, weight, milk protein and leptin were higher in A vs V. Maternal liver and milk dry were lower in A vs V. All offspring parameters were higher in Av vs Vv at postnatal day 110; however, at postnatal day 250, leptin was higher in Av vs Vv. Maternal serum and milk leptin had a positive correlation with offspring serum leptin at both ages. Consumption of animal protein-based diets by mothers during developmental periods affects specific maternal organs and changes milk composition during lactation, leading to a hyperleptinemic phenotype in male offsprings.

Lactation Plays a Fundamental Role in Developmental Programming.

Breast milk has been considered the best source of nutrition for newborns. Several epidemiological and basic experimental studies have been conducted to understand the nutritional advantages of breast milk. Previous findings have emphasized the importance of good maternal nutrition. Maternal milk provides macromolecules, minerals, immune cells, antibodies, hormones, and regular flora to strengthen their offspring preventing various diseases. Maternal milk helps to facilitate physiological, and molecular maturation of several systems, which are important for the final maturation of organs and newborn body development. Currently, breastfeeding is being abandoned for various reasons, such as lower milk production, lack of time, abandonment of the family, social or emotional problems and adverse environmental conditions. These permanent alterations during a critical developmental window have negative consequences in regard to the development of the offspring and organ maturation leading to metabolic, reproductive, hormonal and physiological problems from early life to adulthood. This review describes the advantages of breast milk and the importance for the mother to maintain an adequate diet during pregnancy and lactation, in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and harmonious family relationships. Such an environment will contribute to the complete maturation and development of the offspring.