Gestational weight gain and childhood body mass index across three generations: Results from the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Gestational weight gain (GWG) has been associated with the accumulation of body fat in offspring, but little is known about the intergenerational relationship. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of GWG in grandmothers and mothers on the child's body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This is a sub-study nested in the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort at 22 years follow-up visit. We calculated the BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and evaluated overweight (>2 SD in ≤5 years of age and >1 SD for >5 years of age for BAZ). Grandmothers' and mothers' GWG were calculated as the difference between weight in the beginning of pregnancy and the last recorded weight before delivery. We standardized the GWG by adjusting for pre-gestational BMI. We also categorized GWG as adequate, excessive, or insufficient, in accordance with the Institute of Medicine (2009). Linear and logistic regressions stratified by child's age (≤2 years; 2.01-5 years; >5 years) were used. Structural equations were modelled to calculate the total, indirect, and direct effects of grandmothers' and mothers' GWG on children's BAZ. RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty-six out of 1113 children evaluated were 5 years of age or under. There was an indirect effect (through maternal birthweight, maternal pre-gestational BMI, maternal GWG, and child birthweight) of grandmother GWG on grandchild BAZ, from 2.01 to 5 years of age [ß = 0.12 95% CI: 0.04-0.20 (P < 0.01)]. Maternal GWG directly increased the child's BAZ at >5 years of age [ß = 0.34 95% CI: 0.15-0.53 (P < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: GWG's effect on BMI does seem to be transmitted across three generations. Managing this will require health education during the gestational period for women and their families.

Intergenerational thyroid hormone homeostasis imbalance in cerebellum of rats perinatally exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide.

Agrochemicals became a public health concern due to increased human exposure and possible endocrine disruption effects in several organs, including the brain. Thyroid hormones controls neurodevelopment, which turn them sensitive to endocrine disruptors (EDs). In this work, we evaluated the effect of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) as an intergenerational endocrine disrupter on thyroid homeostasis in cerebellar cells. Female pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to Roundup Transorb® solution at 5 and 50 mg/kg/day, from gestation day 18 to post-natal day 5 (P5). Cerebellum of male offspring was used to evaluate gene expression. The mRNA levels of thyroid hormone receptors, hormonal conversion enzymes, hormone transporters, as well as, de novo epigenetic regulators were altered, with some of these genes presenting a non-monotonic dose response. Furthermore, metabolomic profile correlation with tested dose demonstrated altered metabolic profile, in agreement with cerebellar gene alterations. Moreover, cerebellar primary cultures exposed to non-toxic GBH concentration presented a decrease level in glial fibrillary acidic protein, a protein regulated by endocrine signals. In conclusion, our results indicate that animals exposed to non-toxic GBH doses during perinatal phase carry intergenerational alterations in key regulators of cellular thyroid hormone homeostasis and epigenetic controllers in adulthood, indicating the possible ED effect of GBH based on epigenetic alterations.

Maternal periodontitis induces intergenerational injuries on reproductive performance of adult female rat offspring / Periodontite materna induz prejuízos transgeracionais no desempenho reprodutivo da prole feminina na idade adulta

Substantial evidence suggests a direct link between periodontitis in pregnant women and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no studies have evaluated the transgenerational effects of periodontitis on the reproductive performance of subsequent generations. The present study investigated whether maternal periodontal disease exerts deleterious transgenerational effects on reproductive performance in F1 female rats. Rat female offspring from mothers that were subjected to experimentally induced periodontitis or sham operation were mated with sexually experienced male rats. The weight and reproductive performance of these F1 offspring were evaluated on gestation day 21, including maternal weight, litter weight, individual pup weight, number of pups, and number of resorptions. The percentage of dams with resorptions and the litter weight/number of pups were also calculated. Compared with the control group, an increase was observed in the percentage and number of resorptions and litter weight/number of pups, and a decrease was observed in the number of pups born in the experimental group. Maternal weight, litter weight, and individual pup weight were not different between the control and experimental groups. Maternal periodontitis impaired reproductive performance in the F1 generation. We showed that periodontitis may induce reproductive injury in adult offspring even if the offspring do not undergo any inflammatory/infectious process during their postnatal life or during gestation. These findings reinforce the importance of oral care during pregnancy.

Existem evidências substanciais de uma relação direta entre periodontite em mulheres grávidas com efeitos adversos reprodutivos. No entanto, nenhum estudo avaliou os efeitos intergeracionais da periodontite sobre o desempenho reprodutivo das gerações subsequentes. O presente estudo investigou se a doença periodontal materna exerce efeitos intergeracionais deletérios sobre o desempenho reprodutivo em ratos fêmeas da geração F1. Assim, filhas de ratas cujas mães foram submetidas a periodontite experimental ou falsamente operadas foram acasaladas com ratos machos sexualmente experientes. O peso corporal e desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1 foram avaliados no dia 21 de gestação, incluindo o peso materno, peso da ninhada, peso da individual dos filhotes, número de filhotes e de reabsorções. A percentagem de fêmeas com reabsorção e o peso da ninhada/número de filhotes também foram calculados. Comparados com o grupo controle, observou-se aumento na porcentagem e número de reabsorções e no peso da ninhada/ número de filhotes, e decréscimo no número de filhotes nascidos no grupo experimental. O peso materno, peso da ninhada e individual dos filhotes não foi diferente entre o controle e experimental. Estes resultados mostram que a periodontite experimental materna prejudica o desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1, mesmo que estes animais não tenham sido expostos diretamente a um processo inflamatório.

Maternal periodontitis induces intergenerational injuries on reproductive performance of adult female rat offspring / Periodontite materna induz prejuízos transgeracionais no desempenho reprodutivo da prole feminina na idade adulta

Substantial evidence suggests a direct link between periodontitis in pregnant women and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no studies have evaluated the transgenerational effects of periodontitis on the reproductive performance of subsequent generations. The present study investigated whether maternal periodontal disease exerts deleterious transgenerational effects on reproductive performance in F1 female rats. Rat female offspring from mothers that were subjected to experimentally induced periodontitis or sham operation were mated with sexually experienced male rats. The weight and reproductive performance of these F1 offspring were evaluated on gestation day 21, including maternal weight, litter weight, individual pup weight, number of pups, and number of resorptions. The percentage of dams with resorptions and the litter weight/number of pups were also calculated. Compared with the control group, an increase was observed in the percentage and number of resorptions and litter weight/number of pups, and a decrease was observed in the number of pups born in the experimental group. Maternal weight, litter weight, and individual pup weight were not different between the control and experimental groups. Maternal periodontitis impaired reproductive performance in the F1 generation. We showed that periodontitis may induce reproductive injury in adult offspring even if the offspring do not undergo any inflammatory/infectious process during their postnatal life or during gestation. These findings reinforce the importance of oral care during pregnancy.(AU)

Existem evidências substanciais de uma relação direta entre periodontite em mulheres grávidas com efeitos adversos reprodutivos. No entanto, nenhum estudo avaliou os efeitos intergeracionais da periodontite sobre o desempenho reprodutivo das gerações subsequentes. O presente estudo investigou se a doença periodontal materna exerce efeitos intergeracionais deletérios sobre o desempenho reprodutivo em ratos fêmeas da geração F1. Assim, filhas de ratas cujas mães foram submetidas a periodontite experimental ou falsamente operadas foram acasaladas com ratos machos sexualmente experientes. O peso corporal e desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1 foram avaliados no dia 21 de gestação, incluindo o peso materno, peso da ninhada, peso da individual dos filhotes, número de filhotes e de reabsorções. A percentagem de fêmeas com reabsorção e o peso da ninhada/número de filhotes também foram calculados. Comparados com o grupo controle, observou-se aumento na porcentagem e número de reabsorções e no peso da ninhada/ número de filhotes, e decréscimo no número de filhotes nascidos no grupo experimental. O peso materno, peso da ninhada e individual dos filhotes não foi diferente entre o controle e experimental. Estes resultados mostram que a periodontite experimental materna prejudica o desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1, mesmo que estes animais não tenham sido expostos diretamente a um processo inflamatório.(AU)

Maternal periodontitis induces intergenerational injuries on reproductive performance of adult female rat offspring / Periodontite materna induz prejuízos transgeracionais no desempenho reprodutivo da prole feminina na idade adulta

Substantial evidence suggests a direct link between periodontitis in pregnant women and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no studies have evaluated the transgenerational effects of periodontitis on the reproductive performance of subsequent generations. The present study investigated whether maternal periodontal disease exerts deleterious transgenerational effects on reproductive performance in F1 female rats. Rat female offspring from mothers that were subjected to experimentally induced periodontitis or sham operation were mated with sexually experienced male rats. The weight and reproductive performance of these F1 offspring were evaluated on gestation day 21, including maternal weight, litter weight, individual pup weight, number of pups, and number of resorptions. The percentage of dams with resorptions and the litter weight/number of pups were also calculated. Compared with the control group, an increase was observed in the percentage and number of resorptions and litter weight/number of pups, and a decrease was observed in the number of pups born in the experimental group. Maternal weight, litter weight, and individual pup weight were not different between the control and experimental groups. Maternal periodontitis impaired reproductive performance in the F1 generation. We showed that periodontitis may induce reproductive injury in adult offspring even if the offspring do not undergo any inflammatory/infectious process during their postnatal life or during gestation. These findings reinforce the importance of oral care during pregnancy.(AU)

Existem evidências substanciais de uma relação direta entre periodontite em mulheres grávidas com efeitos adversos reprodutivos. No entanto, nenhum estudo avaliou os efeitos intergeracionais da periodontite sobre o desempenho reprodutivo das gerações subsequentes. O presente estudo investigou se a doença periodontal materna exerce efeitos intergeracionais deletérios sobre o desempenho reprodutivo em ratos fêmeas da geração F1. Assim, filhas de ratas cujas mães foram submetidas a periodontite experimental ou falsamente operadas foram acasaladas com ratos machos sexualmente experientes. O peso corporal e desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1 foram avaliados no dia 21 de gestação, incluindo o peso materno, peso da ninhada, peso da individual dos filhotes, número de filhotes e de reabsorções. A percentagem de fêmeas com reabsorção e o peso da ninhada/número de filhotes também foram calculados. Comparados com o grupo controle, observou-se aumento na porcentagem e número de reabsorções e no peso da ninhada/ número de filhotes, e decréscimo no número de filhotes nascidos no grupo experimental. O peso materno, peso da ninhada e individual dos filhotes não foi diferente entre o controle e experimental. Estes resultados mostram que a periodontite experimental materna prejudica o desempenho reprodutivo da geração F1, mesmo que estes animais não tenham sido expostos diretamente a um processo inflamatório.(AU)