Developmental Programming of Thermonastic Leaf Movement

In larval and pupal stages of several insect species the changes in total body metabolism appear to be inversely proportional to the course of ecdysteroid titres. The largest peaks of ecdysteroid occur exactly at the time of the lowest metabolic rates. These relationships are consequences of the developmental programming; ecdysteroid has no direct antimetabolic action. The problem of ecdysteroid-metabolic interactions has been discussed in relation to possible homeostatic function of ecdysteroids in insect development.

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Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: insights into developmental programming and its consequences for aging

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease ◽

10.1017/s2040174420001233 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

G.D. Clarke ◽

J. Li ◽

A.H. Kuo ◽

A.J. Moody ◽

P.W. Nathanielsz

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Ventricular Remodeling ◽

Developmental Programming ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Current State ◽

Baboon Model ◽

Myocardial Steatosis

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are important consequences of adverse perinatal conditions such as fetal hypoxia and maternal malnutrition. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can produce a wealth of physiological information related to the development of the heart. This review outlines the current state of CMR technologies and describes the physiological biomarkers that can be measured. These phenotypes include impaired ventricular and atrial function, maladaptive ventricular remodeling, and the proliferation of myocardial steatosis and fibrosis. The discussion outlines the applications of CMR to understanding the developmental pathways leading to impaired cardiac function. The use of CMR, both in animal models of developmental programming and in human studies, is described. Specific examples are given in a baboon model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). CMR offers great potential as a tool for understanding the sequence of dysfunctional adaptations of developmental origin that can affect the human cardiovascular system.

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281 Can We Developmentally Program the Epigenome to Improve Traits Relevant to Production in Cattle?

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 20-20

Author(s):

Robert A Cushman ◽

Alexandria Snider ◽

Matthew S Crouse

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Reserve ◽

Equal Opportunity ◽

Production Systems ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

Transcript Abundance ◽

Developmental Programming ◽

Production Traits ◽

Female Progeny ◽

Primordial Follicles ◽

Functional Changes

Abstract While sequence variation can be informative to associate regions of the genome with specific traits and improve genetic selection, the epigenome may provide a more powerful tool to manage cattle. Identifying practices that are producer friendly and effectively control epigenetic function within animals is crucial to translating developmental programming to a production setting. Initial studies of developmental programming investigated how environmental or nutritional stresses during fetal and peri-natal development impacted performance of animals later in life. These studies demonstrated changes in methylation, alterations in transcript abundance, and negative impacts on physiology, but they also suggested that we may be able to beneficially impact the epigenome and developmentally program animals to excel in their niche in the production system. Maternal nutritional status during the third trimester influenced date of conception of female progeny in several studies but failed to do so in other studies. Transcriptomic analyses provided evidence that nutritional treatments alter mRNA abundance in brain, liver, muscle, and ovary, but does not conclusively demonstrate that this is due to functional changes in the epigenome. If developmental programming is to be applied in production systems, responses must be consistent and beneficial. Reducing nutrient intake in heifers during peri-pubertal development increased number of primordial follicles in the ovaries and reproductive longevity. While nutritional programming of the ovarian reserve in peri-pubertal heifers appears to occur consistently across locations and studies, it does not ensure that subsequent environmental stressors will not induce changes in the ovarian reserve that will negate beneficial effects. These studies demonstrate that it is possible to developmentally program the epigenome in cattle in ways that will improve production traits; however, there remains a need for studies to improve the consistency of response and to determine best practices that fit into production systems. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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