Foetal and postnatal exposure to high temperatures alter growth pattern but do not modify reproductive function in male rabbits

Purpose: The foetal origin hypothesis postulates that a number of organ structures and associated functions undergo programming during embryonic and foetal life and the neonatal period, which determines the set point of physiological and metabolic responses that carry into adulthood. We evaluate the relationship between high environmental temperatures and the reproductive function of male offspring to determine whether pregnant mammals and their infants are potentially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Methods: Rabbit pups were exposed to high temperatures during gestation and lactation. Results: Foetal and postnatal exposure to high temperatures did not alter semen characteristics and was associated with a similar fertility rate and number of pups born. Moreover, males showed reduced rate of maturing and carcass traits at adulthood. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that male exposure during the foetal period to high temperatures did not affect sperm quality but permitted an adaptive phenotypic plasticity of growth in adulthood.This work was supported by the Spanish Research Projects AGL2008-03274 and AGL2011-30170-C02-01 (CICYT) and funding from the Generalitat Valenciana Research Programme (Prometeo 2009/125). Estrella Jimenez-Trigos and Carmen Naturil-Alfonso were supported by a research grant from the Education Ministry of the Valencian Regional Government (programme VALi+d. ACIF/2010/262 and ACIF/2013/296, respectively). The English text version was revised by N. Macowan English Language Service. The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.Marco Jiménez, F.; Naturil Alfonso, C.; Jiménez Trigos, ME.; García Diego, FJ.; Lavara García, R.; Vicente Antón, JS. (2014). Foetal and postnatal exposure to high temperatures alter growth pattern but do not modify reproductive function in male rabbits. International Journal of Hyperthermia. 2(30):86-95. doi:10.3109/02656736.2013.878042S869523