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Asian Journal of Andrology (2010) 12: 180-185. doi: 10.1038/aja.2009.69; published online 10 November 2009.
The prostate of weaned pups is altered by maternal malnutrition during lactation in rats
Cristiane da F. Ramos1, Marcio A. Babinski1, Waldemar S. Costa1 and Francisco J.B. Sampaio1
1 Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 20551–030, Brazil
Correspondence: Dr Francisco J.B. Sampaio, Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ, Avenue. 28 de Setembro, no. 87 – fundos – FCM – térreo, Rio de Janeiro 20551–030, RJ, Brazil. Fax: +55-21-2587-6133 E-mail: sampaio@urogenitalresearch.org
Received 10 March 2009; Revised 10 May 2009; Accepted 17 September 2009; Published online 10 November 2009.
| Abstract |
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal malnutrition during lactation on prostate growth and estradiol serum concentration in the prostate of pups. At delivery, nine Wistar rats were separated into three groups: control group (C) with free access to a standard laboratory diet containing 22% protein; protein–energy-restricted group (PER) with free access to an isoenergy and protein-restricted diet containing 8% protein; and energy-restricted group (ER) receiving standard laboratory diet in restricted quantities, which were calculated according to the mean ingestion of the PER group. All pups were killed at weaning. PER and ER groups presented a significant reduction in estradiol serum concentration (C = 73.8 ± 4.6, PER = 48.7 ± 3.2, ER = 59.7 ± 5.5 pg mL−1, P < 0.01), total prostatic acini (C = 24 190.0 ± 716.5, PER = 20 290.0 ± 631.4, ER = 19 550.0 ± 759.1 μm2; P < 0.01), lumen of the prostatic acini (C = 5 590.0 ± 165.4, PER = 3 776.0 ± 251.3, ER = 4 658.0 ± 198.1 μm2; P < 0.01) and epithelial area of the prostate dorsal lobe (C = 18 120.0 ± 391.4, PER = 16 520.0 ± 799.2, ER = 14 890.0 ± 589.8 μm2; P < 0.01). Testosterone concentration was significantly increased only in the PER group when compared with the C group (C = 0.09 ± 0.01, PER = 0.44 ± 0.04, ER = 0.15 ± 0.03 ng mL−1, P < 0.001). An adequate nutritional state in early life is important for normal growth of the prostate gland, which seem to be related to serum levels of estradiol.
Keywords: estrogen receptors; growth and development; histology; malnutrition; prostate; rats |
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