Periconceptional ethanol exposure induces a sex specific diuresis and increase in AQP2 and AVPR2 in the kidneys of aged rat offspring

This study found that periconceptional alcohol exposure in rats resulted in reduced nephron endowment in offspring and female but not male offspring having a higher urine flow. Changes in expression and cellular localization of AQP2 likely underpin this disturbance in water homeostasis and highlights the need for alcohol to be avoided in early pregnancy. AbstractMaternal alcohol consumption can impair renal development and program kidney dysfunction in offspring. Given that most women who drink alcohol cease consumption upon pregnancy recognition, we aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol around the time of conception (PC:EtOH) on offspring renal development and function. Rats received a liquid diet ±12.5% v/v ethanol from 4 days before to 4 days after mating. At postnatal day 30, nephron number was assessed. Urine flow and electrolyte (Na, K, Cl) excretion was measured at 6 and 19 months and blood pressure at 12 months. At 19 months, kidneys were collected for gene and protein analysis a nd assessment of collecting duct length. At postnatal day 30, PC:EtOH offspring had fewer nephrons. At 6 months, PC:EtOH exposure did not alter urine flow nor affect blood pressure at 12 months. At 19 months, female but not male offspring exposed to PC:EtOH drank more water and had a higher urine flow despite no differences in plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations.Aqp2 mRNA andAvpr2 mRNA and protein expression was increased in kidneys from female PC:EtOH offspring but...
Source: Physiological Reports - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Original Research Source Type: research