Effects of Maternal Zinc Deficiency and Post-Weaning Zinc Status on Neuroendocrine Markers Associated with Pubertal Regulation in Female Rat Offspring

Gumus, Meltem; Gunaydın-Turker, Buse; Akgün Ünal, Nilüfer; Gulbahce-Mutlu, Elif; BALTACI, Saltuk; ÜNAL, ÖMER; Mogulkoc, Rasim; Baltaci, Abdulkerim

doi:10.3390/ijms27167479

Effects of Maternal Zinc Deficiency and Post-Weaning Zinc Status on Neuroendocrine Markers Associated with Pubertal Regulation in Female Rat Offspring

Gumus M., Gunaydın-Turker B., Akgün Ünal N., Gulbahce-Mutlu E., BALTACI S. B., ÜNAL Ö., ...Daha Fazla

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, cilt.27, sa.16, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
Cilt numarası: 27 Sayı: 16
Basım Tarihi: 2026
Doi Numarası: 10.3390/ijms27167479
Dergi Adı: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
Anahtar Kelimeler: hormonal parameters, hypothalamus, maternal zinc deficiency, nutrition, puberty, rat
İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study investigated the effects of maternal zinc deficiency and post-weaning zinc status on neuroendocrine markers associated with pubertal regulation in female rat offspring. A total of 40 female rats were divided into four groups: zinc deficiency (G1; MZD + ZD), standard diet (G2; MZD + SD), zinc supplementation (G3; MZD + ZnS), and control (G4; CON). Groups G1–G3 were obtained from mothers with zinc deficiency, while G4 was obtained from mothers fed a standard diet. The procedures lasted 45 days. GATAD1, kisspeptin, GnRH, and NPY gene expressions in hypothalamic tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR; serum kisspeptin, GnRH, FSH, LH, leptin, and NPY levels were analyzed by ELISA. The lowest GATAD1, kisspeptin, and NPY gene expressions were found in groups G1 and G2 (p < 0.05), while the lowest GnRH expression was found in group G1 (p < 0.05). Serum zinc, kisspeptin, GnRH, LH, and leptin levels were lowest in G1 (p < 0.05) and highest in G3 and G4 (p < 0.05). Similarly, FSH and NPY levels were low in G1 and G2 (p < 0.05), and high in G3 and G4 (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that maternal zinc deficiency negatively impacts puberty-related neuroendocrine markers, and that zinc supplementation may correct these markers.