Impacts of low birthweight on kidney development and intergenerational growth of the offspring

Summary: Low birthweight (LBW) increases the risk of adult-onset diseases, including kidney diseases, with intergenerational consequences; however, the underlying mechanisms and effective interventions are unclear. To examine the cross-generational effects of LBW, we established an LBW mouse model through reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) and investigated the therapeutic potential of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, on LBW-associated consequences. RUPP-pups (R1) had lower fetal and birth weights, delayed renal development, and fewer glomeruli than Sham-pups. In adulthood, R1 mice exhibited persistently fewer glomeruli and elevated blood pressure, while Tadalafil-R1 mice showed reduced hypertension in both sexes and improved renal pathological changes in males. Additionally, pregnant R1 mice displayed inadequate gestational liver hypertrophy, impaired hepatic purine metabolism, and diminished placental angiogenesis, resulting in fetal growth restriction in the subsequent generation. These findings underscore the lasting impact of LBW on adult health and future generations and suggest tadalafil’s potential to mitigate LBW-associated risks.