Expression of agouti-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, pro-opiomelanocortin and the leptin receptor isoforms in fetal mouse brain from pregnant dams on a protein-restricted diet

Abstract

Expression of agouti-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, pro-opiomelanocortin and leptin receptor isoforms were found in fetal mouse brain at embryonic day 12 (E12). Levels of expression for these genes were altered in brains of E12 fetuses from pregnant dams on a protein-restricted diet, suggesting that the fetal brain is responsive to changes in maternal nutrition prior to birth.