Effect of litter size (i. e. nutrition) on carbon monoxide-induced persistent heart changes

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Growth; (United States)

OSTI ID:6921858

Penney, D G; Caldwell-Ayre, T M; Gargulinski, R B; Hawkins, B J

It was hypothesized that manipulation of litter size, thus nutrition, which has been shown to alter the neonatal response to cardiovascular stress (i.e. carbon monoxide) might also alter persistent post-stress changes. Rat pups reared in litters of 4 and 16 inhaled 500 ppm CO for 32 days (CO), or served as controls (AIR). Some pups were killed at 14-15 days of age to assess initial cardiomegaly. As adults, right ventricle (RV) mass was greater in CO/4 males and females than in same sex CO/16 rats. Persistent RV cardiomegaly was present in CO/4 males and females compared to AIR's of the same litter size and sex, whereas this was the case only in females comparing CO/16 and AIR/16 rats. RV mass was significantly larger in AIR/4 males than in AIR/16 males. Plots of initial cardiomegaly versus persistent cardiomegaly (RV) for large and small litters produced similar slopes for the two sexes, with females lying above males. Resting heart rate, monitored in males and females, was increased by small litter size, and also by CO, particularly in the males. Resting heart rate was significantly correlated with RV weight. RV DNA content and concentration were increased by small litter size in the males, and concentration also by CO. The male CO/4 rats had the highest DNA content and concentration. In the females, DNA content was increased by small litter size and was greatest in the CO/4 group. Thus, the effects of small litter size have lasting effects: i.e. augmented persistent cardiomegaly, persistent tachycardia, and myocardial DNA content and concentration.

• Research Organization: Wayne State Univ., Detroit, MI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6921858
• Journal Information: Growth; (United States), Vol. 51:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON MONOXIDE
TOXICITY
HEART
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
DNA
NEONATES
NUTRITION
SEX DEPENDENCE
BODY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHALCOGENIDES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology