ABSTRACT
Some of the effects of maternal protein deprivation on fetal ß-cell mass and function involve changes to placental function but many are direct. Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) were shown in numerous cohort studies to carry increased risks for the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, and osteoporosis in adult life. Mechanistically, exposure to a maternal low protein (LP) diet until weaning in rats altered both the cell-cycle kinetics of ß-cells in the offspring and the local presence of growth factors within the pancreatic environment. Offspring experiencing an LP diet had a decreased rate of ß-cell replication and a higher rate of ß-cell apoptosis. If a maternal LP diet is replaced by control diet in rodent models at birth then the islet morphology and ß-cell mass in the offspring will partially recover, but if extended until weaning the changes are irreversible and will lead to glucose intolerance in later life.
