Gender-specific effect of overexpression of sFlt-1 in pregnant mice on fetal programming of blood pressure in the offspring later in life

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether fetal programming of adult blood pressure is altered in a previously characterized mouse model of preeclampsia that was induced by sFlt-1. Study Design: CD-1 mouse mothers at day 8 of gestation were injected with an adenovirus carrying Flt 1-3 (10⁹ plaque-forming units) or with an adenovirus carrying mFc as control (10⁹ plaque-forming units). The resulting pups were followed until 6 months of age, at which time blood pressure (BP) was recorded continuously for 6 days. The offspring weight was also recorded from weaning until adulthood. Results: BP was significantly higher in the male offspring that were born to sFlt-1-treated mothers compared with the controls. Male offspring from sFlt-1-treated mothers were significantly smaller from weaning until adulthood. However, there were no significant differences in BP and postweaning weight in female offspring between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the role of the intrauterine environment in the developmental origin of adult disease.