Abstract

Background: A potential harmful condition for fetal development is the alteration of the maternal circadian system a novel determinant for fetal programming related to modern 24/7 society. We have demonstrated that gestational chronodisruption (maternal exposure to constant light) affects fetal growth with consequences in adult offspring (endocrine, metabolic and cognitive function). Currently, a number of studies in fetal programming describe hypertension and renal diseases as key targets linked to fetal programming of adult disease, however, the consequences of gestational chronodisruption on blood pressure (BP) control and renal function remain unknown.Methods: Pregnant rats were housed under chronic rotation of photoperiod (CPS) during gestation until delivery. We studied in males CPS (CPS) and control males, gestated in standard photoperiod (1) heart rate (HR), temperature and activity by telemetry (2) gene expression in the kidney and circadian rhythms of hormones (3) BP by tail cuff method, and its response to 4%NaCl as well renal expression of kallikrein.Results: We found that animals gestated in CPS condition had an increase in the variation of heart rate (measured as standard deviation-SD) during day and night, and that the acrophase of HR was advanced in almost one hour versus control. CPS group display changes in corticosterone, aldosterone and melatonin rhythms and effects on expression of Sgk1, NHE3 and αENaC in kidney. Both groups showed circadian rhythms of BP, however adult CPS displayed larger amplitude of the rhythm during night, and responded to 4%NaCl with a signicant increase of BP. Decreased protein expression of renal kallikrein was observed in adult CPS in basal condition and after 4%NaCl, relative to control rats. Conclusions: Our findings show that gestational circadian disruption affects renal function at different levels, including transporters, vasoactive enzymes and blood pressure control.Funding: Anillo ACT 1116, Fondecyt 1150069, DID-UACh, Chile, CONICYT PIA/Basal PFB12.