TitleAdverse effects of parental zinc deficiency on metal homeostasis and embryonic development in a zebrafish model.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsBeaver LM, Nkrumah-Elie YM, Truong L, Barton CL, Knecht AL, Gonnerman GD, Wong CP, Tanguay RL, Ho E
JournalJ Nutr Biochem
Volume43
Pagination78-87
Date Published2017 05
ISSN1873-4847
KeywordsAnimals, DNA Methylation, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Homeostasis, Insulin, Metals, Zebrafish, Zebrafish Proteins, Zinc
Abstract

The high prevalence of zinc deficiency is a global public health concern, and suboptimal maternal zinc consumption has been associated with adverse effects ranging from impaired glucose tolerance to low birthweights. The mechanisms that contribute to altered development and poor health in zinc deficient offspring are not completely understood. To address this gap, we utilized the Danio rerio model and investigated the impact of dietary zinc deficiency on adults and their developing progeny. Zinc deficient adult fish were significantly smaller in size, and had decreases in learning and fitness. We hypothesized that parental zinc deficiency would have an impact on their offspring's mineral homeostasis and embryonic development. Results from mineral analysis showed that parental zinc deficiency caused their progeny to be zinc deficient. Furthermore, parental dietary zinc deficiency had adverse consequences for their offspring including a significant increase in mortality and decreased physical activity. Zinc deficient embryos had altered expression of genes that regulate metal homeostasis including several zinc transporters (ZnT8, ZnT9) and the metal-regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1). Zinc deficiency was also associated with decreased expression of genes related to diabetes and pancreatic development in the embryo (Insa, Pax4, Pdx1). Decreased expression of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt4, Dnmt6) was also found in zinc deficient offspring, which suggests that zinc deficiency in parents may cause altered epigenetic profiles for their progeny. These data should inform future studies regarding zinc deficiency and pregnancy and suggest that supplementation of zinc deficient mothers prior to pregnancy may be beneficial.

DOI10.1016/j.jnutbio.2017.02.006
Alternate JournalJ. Nutr. Biochem.
PubMed ID28268202
PubMed Central IDPMC5406264
Grant ListR21 ES023937 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States