Maternal exposure to diluted diesel engine exhaust alters placental function and induces intergenerational effects in rabbits

Sarah A Valentino, Anne Tarrade, Josiane Aioun, Eve Mourier, Christophe Richard, Michèle Dahirel, Delphine Rousseau-Ralliard, Natalie Fournier, Marie-Christine Aubrière, Marie-Sylvie Lallemand, Sylvaine Camous, Marine Guinot, Madia Charlier, Etienne Aujean, Hala Al Adhami, Paul H Fokkens, Lydiane Agier, John A Boere, Flemming R Cassee, Rémy SlamaPascale Chavatte-Palmer

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Airborne pollution is a rising concern in urban areas. Epidemiological studies in humans and animal experiments using rodent models indicate that gestational exposure to airborne pollution, in particular diesel engine exhaust (DE), reduces birth weight, but effects depend on exposure duration, gestational window and nanoparticle (NP) concentration. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of gestational exposure to diluted DE on feto-placental development in a rabbit model. Pregnant females were exposed to diluted (1 mg/m(3)), filtered DE (NP diameter ≈ 69 nm) or clean air (controls) for 2 h/day, 5 days/week by nose-only exposure (total exposure: 20 days in a 31-day gestation).

    RESULTS: DE exposure induced early signs of growth retardation at mid gestation with decreased head length (p = 0.04) and umbilical pulse (p = 0.018). Near term, fetal head length (p = 0.029) and plasma insulin and IGF1 concentrations (p = 0.05 and p = 0.019) were reduced. Placental function was also affected, with reduced placental efficiency (fetal/placental weight) (p = 0.049), decreased placental blood flow (p = 0.009) and fetal vessel volume (p = 0.002). Non-aggregated and "fingerprint" NP were observed at various locations, in maternal blood space, in trophoblastic cells and in the fetal blood, demonstrating transplacental transfer. Adult female offspring were bred with control males. Although fetoplacental biometry was not affected near term, second generation fetal metabolism was modified by grand-dam exposure with decreased plasma cholesterol (p = 0.008) and increased triglyceride concentrations (p = 0.015).

    CONCLUSIONS: Repeated daily gestational exposure to DE at levels close to urban pollution can affect feto-placental development in the first and second generation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number39
    Number of pages14
    JournalParticle and Fibre Toxicology [E]
    Volume13
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

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