The effects of maternal undernutrition and glucocorticoid on nephrogenesis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Metanephros size and ureteric bud branching are decreased after embryonic day 14 by maternal nutrient restriction. Kidney size becomes normal after birth, whereas nephron number remains decreased. Signaling molecules important for kidney development are suppressed and activated at embryonic day 15 and 18, respectively. Cleaved caspase 3, a marker of apoptosis, was decreased at both time points. Inhibition of caspase 3 suppressed ureteric bud cell migration and cord formation. Low nephron number by maternal nutrient restriction results from inhibited ureteric branching that may be ascribed to the suppressed caspase 3 activity.