Effect of maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) during pregnancy on fetal liver gene expression in baboons (Papio anubis).

The objective was to determine changes in gene expression in baboon fetal livers at 90, 120, 140 and 165 days gestation (dG) due to reduction of feed consumed by dams. Control dams were fed ad libitum throughout the study, while 30% feed reduction (based on feed consumed by controls at the same gestation stage and adujsted for body weight) started at 30 dG for MNR dams. RNA-seq data was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes and transcript variants across four time points. Overall design: 8 control and 8 MNR livers were collected at the 90 and 165 dG time points, and 6 control and 6 MNR livers were collected at the 120 and 140 dG time points. RNA-seq was performed. Gene expression in MNR vs. control livers at different gestation time points was analyzed.