<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Developmental programming is a process where stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of growth and development might permanently alter tissue anatomy and physiology so as to produce adverse effects in adult life. Most forms of exposure include maternal nutrient deprivation, nutrient excess, exogenous glucocorticoid excess and endogenous glucocorticoid due to maternal stress. <italic>Hibiscus sabdariffa</italic> (<italic>Hs</italic>) are highly rich in phenolic compounds with marked physiological activities, the sweetened aqueous extract of Hs, commonly known as “Zobo’ in Nigeria, is consumed by humans including pregnant and lactating mothers. This study aimed at determining effects of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hs to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development. Twenty-five pregnant female rats were used. Rats were randomly placed into five groups of five rats per group (one animal per cage): Group I (Normal control); Group II (feed-restricted control); Group III (5 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group IV (10 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group V (20 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet). Dams were allowed to nurse only 8 pups. Pups were weaned to <italic>ad libitum</italic> feed and water and were observed daily for puberty onset. Weights, lengths and body mass index (BMI) of pups were measured at delivery, weaning and puberty onset. At onset of puberty in each of the rats, blood samples were collected for determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and testosterone. Reproductive organs were excised and weighed for histology. The extract caused significant increase in postnatal weight, length and BMI of offspring at birth, weaning and puberty onset and significantly delayed puberty onset in both sexes. There was significant increase in absolute and relative weights of testes and ovaries with alterations in histology. This study has shown that maternal consumption of flavonoid-rich extract of <italic>Hs</italic> during pregnancy and lactation may accelerate offspring postnatal growth with delay in onset of puberty.</p>
</abstract>

Developmental programming is a process where stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of growth and development might permanently alter tissue anatomy and physiology so as to produce adverse effects in adult life. Most forms of exposure include maternal nutrient deprivation, nutrient excess, exogenous glucocorticoid excess and endogenous glucocorticoid due to maternal stress. Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs) are highly rich in phenolic compounds with marked physiological activities, the sweetened aqueous extract of Hs, commonly known as “Zobo’ in Nigeria, is consumed by humans including pregnant and lactating mothers. This study aimed at determining effects of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hs to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development. Twenty-five pregnant female rats were used. Rats were randomly placed into five groups of five rats per group (one animal per cage): Group I (Normal control); Group II (feed-restricted control); Group III (5 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group IV (10 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group V (20 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet). Dams were allowed to nurse only 8 pups. Pups were weaned to ad libitum feed and water and were observed daily for puberty onset. Weights, lengths and body mass index (BMI) of pups were measured at delivery, weaning and puberty onset. At onset of puberty in each of the rats, blood samples were collected for determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and testosterone. Reproductive organs were excised and weighed for histology. The extract caused significant increase in postnatal weight, length and BMI of offspring at birth, weaning and puberty onset and significantly delayed puberty onset in both sexes. There was significant increase in absolute and relative weights of testes and ovaries with alterations in histology. This study has shown that maternal consumption of flavonoid-rich extract of Hs during pregnancy and lactation may accelerate offspring postnatal growth with delay in onset of puberty.

Effect of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from <italic>Hibiscus sabdariffa</italic> to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development

Physiology Unit, College of Health Sciences

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences

Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine

Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Effect of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from  to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development

Developmental programming is a process where stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of growth and development might permanently alter tissue anatomy...

Effect of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development

Publicado en línea: 15 jul 2021

Páginas: 61 - 69

Recibido: 22 jun 2020

Aceptado: 20 abr 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cipms-2021-0011

Palabras clave
BMI, development, estradiol, flavonoid, testosterone and organs

© 2021 Odochi O. Chukwu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Effect of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development

Publicado en línea: 15 jul 2021

Páginas: 61 - 69

Recibido: 22 jun 2020

Aceptado: 20 abr 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cipms-2021-0011

Palabras claveBMI, development, estradiol, flavonoid, testosterone and organs

© 2021 Odochi O. Chukwu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Palabras clave
BMI, development, estradiol, flavonoid, testosterone and organs