Browsing by Author "Foiret, Jaudon Ron"

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    The effect of a high sucrose diet on ovarian morphology : an age-matched generational study
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-03) Foiret, Jaudon Ron; Kotze, Sanet; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Biomedical Sciences: Anatomy and Histology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly becoming an epidemic in society, affecting between 10% and 40% of Western populations. High-fat and refined sugar diets have been implicated in the increased prevalence of insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidaemia, the hallmarks of MetS. Risk factors of MetS have been correlated with decreased reproductive potential and suboptimal pregnancy outcomes, while predisposing offspring to a MetS state in adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of a high-sucrose diet on the reproductive potential and mating outcomes of albino Wistar rats, and their offspring using a foetal programming model. Female nulliparous albino Wistar rats (n=28) were randomly divided into a high-sucrose feed group (HSF) (n=19) and a control-feed group (CF) (n=9). All animals in this study were housed in standard rat cages in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment on a reverse 12-hour dark/light cycle with free access to water and respective feeds. Diets consisted of 68% carbohydrate consisting of either sucrose (HSF) or corn starch (CF). Maternal feeding commenced four weeks prior to mating with unexposed males. Maternal metabolic profile and mating outcomes were recorded. Maternal animals were euthanised and the ovaries harvested immediately after their offspring were weaned. The offspring were randomly divided into three groups; HSF/HSF (pups from HSF dam maintained on high-sucrose feed) (n=6), CF/CF (pups from CF dam maintained on control-feed) (n=6) and HSF/CF (pups from HSF dam and maintained on control-feed) (n=4). Pups were maintained on their respective feed for 10 weeks to achieve an age match comparison with dams. All animal’s ovaries were harvested, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, routinely stained and histologically evaluated for follicle type and numbers, follicle development, and morphological changes. Results indicated no overt hyperglycaemia or obesity in any group, however a significant (p<0.01) decrease in mean body mass (MBM) was observed in the HSF and HSF/HSF groups when compared to their respective controls. Mating was deleteriously affected, with HSF dams birthing fewer and significantly lighter offspring. End point metabolic profiles of pups, indicated no significant differences in fasting blood glucose level, however the HSF/HSF MBM was found to be significantly decreased. An intermediate metabolic profile was observed in the HSF/CF group. Histological examination indicated a significant decrease in numbers of functional follicles in any sucrose feed group, with varying degrees of indicative morphological changes. Metabolic profiles of all animals, although not overtly pathological, displayed dysregulation in energy balance. This is hypothesised to be a result of adaptations in hepatic fructose metabolism and the protective effects of oestrogen. Effects on reproductive potential and ovarian morphology in this study appear to be as result of gonadotropic hormone dysregulation mediated by metabolic status. Foetal programming by means of highsucrose diet was confirmed in this study with HSF/CF being deleteriously affected despite control feed postnatal diet. This study demonstrated the deleterious effects of a high-sucrose diet on maternal reproductive health and its compounding effects on their offspring. Deductions from this research emphasise the importance of maternal diet beyond overt MetS risk factors and can be applied in family planning.