Postnatal leptin promotes organ maturation and development in IUGR piglets

PLoS One. 2013 May 31;8(5):e64616. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064616. Print 2013.

Abstract

Babies with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at increased risk for experiencing negative neonatal outcomes due to their general developmental delay. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a short postnatal leptin supply on the growth, structure, and functionality of several organs at weaning. IUGR piglets were injected from day 0 to day 5 with either 0.5 mg/kg/d leptin (IUGRLep) or saline (IUGRSal) and euthanized at day 21. Their organs were collected, weighed, and sampled for histological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. Leptin induced an increase in body weight and the relative weights of the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and small intestine without any changes in triglycerides, glucose and cholesterol levels. Notable structural and functional changes occurred in the ovaries, pancreas, and secondary lymphoid organs. The ovaries of IUGRLep piglets contained less oogonia but more oocytes enclosed in primordial and growing follicles than the ovaries of IUGRSal piglets, and FOXO3A staining grade was higher in the germ cells of IUGRLep piglets. Within the exocrine parenchyma of the pancreas, IUGRLep piglets presented a high rate of apoptotic cells associated with a higher trypsin activity. In the spleen and the Peyer's patches, B lymphocyte follicles were much larger in IUGRLep piglets than in IUGRSal piglets. Moreover, IUGRLep piglets showed numerous CD79(+) cells in well-differentiated follicle structures, suggesting a more mature immune system. This study highlights a new role for leptin in general developmental processes and may provide new insight into IUGR pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • CD79 Antigens / genetics
  • CD79 Antigens / immunology
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / immunology
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / metabolism*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / pathology
  • Fetus
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gonads / drug effects*
  • Gonads / growth & development
  • Gonads / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Immune System / growth & development
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Leptin / pharmacology*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / growth & development
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Organogenesis / drug effects*
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Pancreas / growth & development
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Swine

Substances

  • CD79 Antigens
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Leptin

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais and INRA institute of France. LaSalle is an education institute “Grande Ecole” which offers outstanding scientific education to the future engineers in Nutrition and Health, Agriculture and Geology. INRA is a National institute of research in Agriculture. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.