Developmental origins of adult disease in the Yucatan miniature pig - the effects of pre-natal growth on glucose and methyl metabolism

• Main Author: MacKay, Dylan S., 1983-
• Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Biochemistry
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Glucose tolerance tests; Glucose > Metabolism; Insulin > Methylation; Miniature pigs > Metabolism; Newfoundland studies; University of Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/51652

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2009. Biochemistry Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-114) The effects of birth weight variations on growth and glucose metabolism later in life were investigated in Yucatan miniature pigs. Pigs were fed a high salt, high sugar, and high fat diet for -12 months. Glucose metabolism in vivo was studied using intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) and insulin sensitivity tests (1ST). Glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity was not affected by birth weight but was significantly affected by gender. Female pigs had reduced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to male pigs. The female pigs also had higher visceral fat concentrations than male. Increased visceral fat was detrimental to glucose metabolism in all the pigs. The hepatic gene expression of cystathionase (CTH) was lower in runt piglets but betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) expression and hepatic global DNA methylation were not different. Thus the role of methyl metabolism in fetal programming of adult disease remains unclear.