Dietary restriction in pregnant rats causes gender-related hypertension and vascular dysfunction in offspring

1. We have investigated the effects of moderate global undernutrition durin g gestation in the rat on the blood pressure of male and female offspring, and on the development of systemic vascular function. Pregnant Wistar rats were nutritionally restricted (R) by feeding with 70% of the normal gestati on-matched dietary intake from 0 to 18 days gestation. 2. R offspring were growth retarded at birth but of similar weight to contr ols (C) at 20 days. Systolic and/or diastolic and mean arterial blood press ures, measured directly by femoral artery catheter, were elevated from 60 d ays onward in male R offspring (mean arterial pressure: day 60, P < 0.01; d ay 100, P < 0.05; day 200, P < 0.005, R vs. C), and from 100 days onward in female R offspring (mean arterial pressure day 100 and day 200, P < 0.05; R vs. C). 3. Maximal constriction to phenylephrine (PE) (P < 0.05) and to noradrenali ne (NA) (P < 0.05) was reduced in isolated femoral arteries of day 20 R pup s. These differences did not persist into adulthood. In male adult R offspr ing (200 days), maximal vasoconstriction to the thromboxane A(2) mimetic, U 46619 (P < 0.05) and sensitivity to potassium (P < 0.01) were enhanced. 4. Moderate maternal undernutrition in rat gestation adversely affects card iovascular function in the offspring. These abnormalities increase with age and are more pronounced in males.