Dietary Protein Deficiency in Early Life of F1 and F2 Generations of Sprague Dawley Rats Disrupts the Reproductive Function

Background: The ability to reproduce efficiently is an important characteristic that has evolved through natural selection. Nutrition can modulate reproductive activities at different levels, its effect on nutrition is therefore complex and less predictable. This study aims at investigating the underlying effect of persistent dietary protein deficiency during early life on reproductive parameters of subsequent (F 1 and F 2 ) generations. Method: Rats in group of four (4) were fed daily, with different ration of protein diet (PD) formulated as: 21% protein diet, 10%protein diet, 5%protein diet and control diet (rat chow, containing 16-18% protein). They were fed ad libitum before mating, throughout gestation and lactation, and next generations were weaned to the maternal diet. Reproductive function analysis (which include; gestation and pubertal hormonal profiling, onset of puberty, oestrus cyclicity, sexual response) and morphometric analysis of the ovarian structure were carried out to assess associated consequences. Results: showed significant reduction in the fertility index as a consequence of altered reproductive function in the protein deficient models at P≤ 0.05. Low protein diet posed suboptimal intrauterine condition, which was linked to increased prenatal morbidity and mortality, lowered birthweight delayed onset of puberty, induced cycle irregularity, altered follicular maturation and endocrine dysfunction in the protein deficient groups. Reproductive status of an individual female organism critically depends on the maintenance of ovarian structure and function that has been associated with the hypothalamic pituitary-gonadal axis, hormonal events and sexual maturity. Conclusion: : There is therefore an association between persistent early life protein deficiency and reproductive response which mechanistically involves life-long changes in key ovarian cytoarchitecture and function.