Effects of Maternal Sucrose Consumption on Inflammation and Steroids in the Placenta and Fetal Brain

Consumption of sucrose (table sugar) is high in much of the world. The effects of a maternal diet high in sucrose on the placenta and fetal brain remain unknown. In rats, maternal consumption of sucrose at a human-relevant level has effects on the mother’s physiology and steroids, as well as long-lasting and sex-specific effects on the adult offspring’s brain and behavior. In the mothers, there are metabolic effects of sucrose intake, such as impaired glucose tolerance, increased liver lipids, and increased adipose inflammation. In rat dams, sucrose intake also decreases corticosterone levels in the blood but not in the brain. In the adult male offspring, preference for a high-sucrose diet and a high-fat diet increases due to maternal sucrose intake. In addition, maternal sucrose intake increases motivation for sugar rewards in a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement in adult male offspring. In adult female offspring, corticosterone levels increase in the blood and brain as a result of maternal sucrose intake. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of the observed behavioral and endocrine effects in the adult offspring. Here, we examined cytokines and anti-inflammatory steroids in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and fetal blood and brain. In our model, we feed rat dams either a high-sucrose diet (26% of kCal) or an isocaloric, matched, control diet (1% sucrose) 10 weeks prior to and during gestation. At embryonic day 19 (E19), we collected maternal blood, placenta, amniotic fluid, fetal blood, and fetal brain. We use Palkovits punch to microdissect the placenta and fetal brain. Next, we use a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay, which is highly precise and specific, to measure multiple steroids (e.g. corticosterone, progesterone, estradiol, allopregnanolone). The method is highly sensitive, and we can measure neurosteroids in multiple regions of the fetal brain (e.g. prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, hippocampus). Moreover, we will examine steroidogenic enzymes and cytokines in the fetal brain and placenta. Preliminary data show distinct steroid patterns in amniotic fluid and fetal blood, as well as in different parts of the placenta.