Postnatal Catch-Up Growth Programs Telomere Dynamics and Glucose Intolerance in Low Birth Weight Mice

Low birth weight and rapid postnatal gain are independent predictors of obesity diabetes in adult life, yet the molecular events involved this process remain unknown. In inbred outbred mice, study examines natural intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) relation to body weight, telomere length (TL), glucose tolerance, factor gene (Igf1, Igf2, Insr, Igf1r, Igf2r) mRNA expression levels brain, liver, muscle at 2- 10 days age then 3- 9 months age. At birth, ~15% animals showed IUGR, but by 3 months, half these had regained same as controls without IUGR (recuperated group). days, there was no difference TL between undergoing controls. However, age, recuperated shorter than control IUGR-non also intolerance. Further, compared controls, Igf1 Igf2 lower Day 2-IUGR while Igf2r Insr higher D10-IUGR animals. Moreover, only group were brain liver Igf1, IUGR-non-recuperated groups. These data indicate that catch-up not per se affects suggest a role latter insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway during early development.