A low protein maternal diet during gestation has negative effects on male fertility markers in rats - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Research indicates that some adult diseases including reproductive pathologies are programmed in utero during foetal development. In particular, maternal low dietary protein, during the most critical developmental periods of male foetal development, may have a detrimental impact on male fertility through direct and epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a gestational low protein diet on fertility markers in male offspring in rats through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. A systematic search using PubMed, and EMBASE databases was performed and two investigators independently screened the 1,703 prospective articles. Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria. Outcome measures were pooled using random‐effects models and expressed as mean differences (MDs) at 95% CIs for each study. The results reveal significant reduction in testis weight (MD (mean difference) −0.08 g; −0.12, −0.42; <i>p</i> = .0001), epididymal sperm count (MD −35.34 × 10⁶ cells; −52.15, −18.53; <i>p</i> = .0001), number of Sertoli cells (MD −7.27 × 10⁶ (−13.92, −0.62; <i>p</i> = .03), testosterone (T) concentration (MD −0.29 ng/ml; −0.48, −0.09; <i>p</i> = .004) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentration (MD of −0.24 ng/ml; −0.45, 0.04; <i>p</i> = .02) in comparison with controls. In contrast, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration (MD of 0.07 ng/ml; −0.16, 0.29; <i>p</i> = .56) was not significantly different from controls. We conclude that low gestational dietary protein maternal intake potentially negatively impacts fertility in male progeny later in life. The mechanisms of action responsible for these phenomena remain unclear.