Advanced maternal age in a rat model induces alterationsin embryo development and decidual activation of foxo1

MARÍA LAURA LEONARDI, CINTIA ROMINA GATTI, IRUNE PIRRONE, ALICIA JAWERBAUM, ROMINA HIGA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXVIIReunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC); 2022

SAIC

Background: Pregnancy at Advanced Maternal Age (~35 years, AMA) is associated with obstetric complications and neonatal adverse outcomes. Studies in animal models of AMA showed that these complications may be related to decidualization defects. The decidua is essential for a correct implantation, placenta and embryo development. FoxO1 is a transcription factor that plays a role in decidualization and embryo development by modulating genes related to oxidative stress and extracellular matrix remodeling. FoxO1 can be inhibited by phosphorylation. Aim: To evaluate reproductive alterations in a rat model of AMA during organogenesis stage. In decidua of AMA rats analyze lipoperoxidation, FoxO1 activation and the expression of its target genes Mmp2 (involved in extracellular matrix remodeling) and MnSOD (antioxidant response). Methods: 3-month-old (Control) and 10-month-old (AMA) Wistar rats were mated with young males. At day 12 of pregnancy, uterine morphology and embryo developmental parameters were measured. In the decidua, lipoperoxidation (TBARS), FoxO1 phosphorylation status (Western Blot) and mRNA levels of Mmp2 and MnSOD (qPCR) were measured. Results: AMA rats showed an increase in macroscopic uterine anomalies (41%, p