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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(05): 490-497
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1669443
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Long-Term Effect of Lactation on Maternal Cardiovascular Function and Adiposity in a Murine Model

Sandra R. Herrera
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Kathleen L. Vincent
2   Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Aaron Poole
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Gayle Olson
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Igor Patrikeev
3   Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Jamal Saada
3   Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Phyllis Gamble
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Massoud Motamedi
3   Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
George R. Saade
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
,
Alison M. Stuebe
4   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
5   Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
,
Egle Bytautiene Prewit
1   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was conducted with the support of the Institute for Translational Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch (Clinical and Translational Science Award [UL 1RR029876] from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health) and the Beginning Grant-in-Aid (14BGIA20480229) to E. B. P. from the American Heart Association.
Further Information

Publication History

08 July 2017

24 July 2018

Publication Date:
07 September 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective Epidemiological studies suggest that lactation is associated with long-term maternal health benefits. To avoid confounders in human studies, we used a previously characterized murine model to investigate the long-term effect of lactation on both cardiovascular function and adiposity.

Study Design After the delivery of the pups, CD-1 female mice were randomly divided into two groups: lactated and nonlactated (NL). Before pregnancy and at 9 months postdelivery, blood pressure was measured using a tail cuff, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were assessed by computed tomography (CT), echocardiography was performed using microultrasound, and cholesterol panels and fasting blood glucose were measured. The data were analyzed using Student's t-test (significance at p < 0.05).

Results There were no differences in baseline parameters between the two groups. At 9 months postdelivery, the NL group weighed significantly more (p = 0.03) and demonstrated a significantly lower cardiac output (p = 0.05) and ejection fraction (p = 0.03). The mice in the NL group also had higher VAT (p < 0.01) and SAT percentiles (p = 0.03). Fasting glucose (p = 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in the NL group at 9 months.

Conclusion Our results show the benefit of lactation is not just limited to the immediate postpartum period but it also extends into midlife in a murine model.

Keywords

adipose tissue - blood pressure - CD-1 mice - lactation - long-term effect