Effects of marginal zinc deficiency on parenting behavior and hormone secretion in pregnant rats.
Description: It is recommended to increase zinc intake during pregnancy. We investigated the effects of marginal zinc deficiency on parenting behavior and hormone secretion during pregnancy by feeding pregnant rats either a zinc-supplemented diet (Zn-Suf) or a low zinc diet (Low-Zn). Body surface temperature during pregnancy was significantly lower in the Low-Zn group compared to the Zn-Suf group. Some individuals in the Low-Zn group exhibited parental abandonment-like behavior. After childbirth, plasma corticosterone concentrations were significantly higher, and plasma oxytocin concentrations tended to be lower in the Low-Zn group. Marginal zinc deficiency during pregnancy may have caused a stress response, and decreased oxytocin secretion may have contributed to parental abandonment-like behavior.
Amount: ¥4,810,000
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2023-03-31
Investigator: Tomoko Goto
Institution: Miyagi Gakuin Women's University
Topic: Trace Elements in Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 15
Funder award ID: 17K07789
OpenAlex ID: G692141600