Impact of Maternal Protein Deficiency During Pregnancy on Offspring’s Reproductive Health

Research conducted by São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil highlights the significant effects maternal nutrition has on the reproductive health of male offspring. Using rat models, scientists found that a diet low in protein during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause structural and functional alterations in the epididymis, a crucial organ for sperm maturation and storage.

The study, published in the journal Biology Open, demonstrated that maternal protein restriction leads to a shortened epididymal duct, disrupted tissue architecture, and altered expression of key proteins involved in its function. These changes impair the environment needed for proper sperm development, which can result in decreased sperm quality.

Notably, these structural modifications persisted into adulthood, leading to delayed cell differentiation within the epididymis and a higher presence of mesenchymal cells, indicating ongoing developmental disruptions. As a consequence, sperm from these animals showed reduced ability to fertilize, indicating compromised fertility potential.

The research emphasizes that the effects of maternal malnutrition are not just structural but also adaptive, with the epididymis attempting to compensate for its dysfunctional state. However, these adjustments may still fall short, affecting reproductive success.

This study underscores the broader implications of poor maternal diet, linking hunger and food insecurity to future generations’ reproductive health. It also falls within the scope of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory, which suggests that early-life environmental factors shape long-term health outcomes.

Professor Raquel Fantin Domeniconi explained that malnutrition during critical developmental periods can be regarded as missing 'building blocks' in organ formation, impacting not only organ size but also functional capacity. The findings advocate for improved maternal nutrition strategies to prevent such long-lasting reproductive impairments and promote overall health.

In the experiments, pregnant rats were assigned to three dietary groups: normal, 17% protein, and 6% protein during pregnancy and lactation. The low-protein diet resulted in shorter, structurally altered epididymides with disrupted fluid dynamics and vascularization, ultimately affecting sperm maturation and quality.

The study reveals that nutritional deficiencies in critical periods of development can leave lasting marks on reproductive organs, making it a crucial consideration in public health policies aimed at reducing malnutrition and promoting reproductive health across generations.