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

Ajuogu, Peter K; Al-Aqbi, Mohammed A K; Hart, Robert A; McFarlane, James R; Smart, Neil A

doi:10.1111/jpn.13411

Author(s)

Ajuogu, Peter K

Al-Aqbi, Mohammed A K

Hart, Robert A

McFarlane, James R

Smart, Neil A

Publication Date

2021-01

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; p = .0001), epididymal sperm count (MD −35.34 × 106 cells; −52.15, −18.53; p = .0001), number of Sertoli cells (MD −7.27 × 106 (−13.92, −0.62; p = .03), testosterone (T) concentration (MD −0.29 ng/ml; −0.48, −0.09; p = .004) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentration (MD of −0.24 ng/ml; −0.45, 0.04; p = .02) in comparison with controls. In contrast, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration (MD of 0.07 ng/ml; −0.16, 0.29; p = .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.

Citation

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 105(1), p. 157-166

ISSN

1439-0396

0931-2439

Pubmed ID

32654274

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30162

Language

en

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Verlag GmbH

Title

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

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Ajuogu, Peter K Al-Aqbi, Mohammed A K Hart, Robert A McFarlane, James R Smart, Neil A
Publication Date	2021-01
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 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells; −52.15, −18.53; <i>p</i> = .0001), number of Sertoli cells (MD −7.27 × 10<sup>6</sup> (−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.
Citation	Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 105(1), p. 157-166
ISSN	1439-0396 0931-2439
Pubmed ID	32654274
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30162
Language	en
Publisher	Wiley-Blackwell Verlag GmbH
Title	A low protein maternal diet during gestation has negative effects on male fertility markers in rats - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

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

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