Imprinting effects of maternal water deprivation during late gestation on fetal and offspring RAS in the rats

Objective: To investigate the imprinting effect of maternal water deprivation during late gestation on fetal and offspring renin-angiotensin system ( RAS) in the rats. Methods: After three days of maternal water deprivation during late gestation, fetal heart, kidney, placenta and body dry, wet weight as well as body and tail length were examined. Both fetal and offspring plasma angiotensin (Ang) II concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Angiotensinogen (ATG) mRNA in the fetal and offspring liver and cardiovascular responses to intravenous injection of Ang II were also determined by real-time PCR. Results: Maternal water deprivation during late gestation significantly decreased heart, kidney, and body dry and wet weight ,the length of the fetal body and tail (P < 0. 05) but placenta (P > 0. 05), and increased fetal plasma Ang II concentration (P < 0. 05). Both fetal and offspring's mRNA of angiotensinogen in liver was significantly increased followed by water deprivation (P < 0. 05). And compared to the control, it significantly increased blood press in response to i. v. Ang II (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Maternal water deprivation during late gestation has an effect on the heart, kidney and the growth and development of fetals, and changes the RAS of the offspring. These can be related with the imprintingeffect of diseases in fetal origins. (authors)