Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI · 6 authors, 1 centre
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This preclinical study in pregnant mice found that mild maternal nutritional restriction (90% of normal intake) promoted embryo mammary gland development, while severe restriction (70% or less) caused significant dysplasia. The study establishes a mouse model and threshold for nutritional effects on fetal mammary development, but its findings are limited to a preclinical animal model and do not directly address human health.
This study investigated how varying degrees of maternal nutritional restriction during pregnancy affect mammary gland development in mouse offspring, a critical but understudied period. Pregnant mice were assigned to receive 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60% of normal food intake starting on gestational day 9. Offspring mammary glands were analyzed post-birth using whole-mount morphometry, Sholl analysis, PCA, regression, and qPCR for developmental gene expression. Key results showed that mild restriction (90% of intake) did not harm offspring body weight and even increased expression of mammary development genes Sox10 and Elf5. A sharp decline in mammary development occurred between the 80% and 70% restriction groups, with the 70% and 60% groups showing significantly reduced enclosing radius and mammary epithelial area. Body fat percentage in offspring was reduced earlier (at 80% intake) than body weight. Regression analyses indicated altered developmental patterns, with the 90% group showing potential for increased ductal extension and complexity. The authors propose a placental buffering limit is exceeded at 70% restriction. Limitations include the use of a mouse model, which may not translate to other species, and the assessment at a single postnatal time point. The findings provide a preclinical framework for understanding gestational nutrition's impact on fetal mammary development and may inform animal agriculture nutrition.
