Moderate global reduction in maternal nutrition has differential stage of gestation specific effects on α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors in the fetal baboon liver

Hepatic α-adrenergic receptors (α-ARs) play a pivotal role in mobilization of reserves via gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis to supply the animal with its energy needs during decreased nutrient availability. Using a unique nutrient-deprived baboon model, we have demonstrated for the first time that immunoreactive hepatic α₁- and α₂-AR subtypes are regionally distributed and localized on cells around the central lobular vein in 0.5 and 0.9 gestation (G) fetuses of ad libitum fed control (CTR) and maternal nutrient restricted (MNR) mothers. Furthermore, MNR decreased fetal liver immunoreactive α₁-AR and increased immunoreactive α₂-AR at 0.5G. However, at 0.9G, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in α₁-AR and no change in α₂-AR levels. Thus, MNR in a nonhuman primate species has effects on hepatic α₁- and α₂-ARs that are receptor- and gestation stage-specific and may represent compensatory systems whose effects would increase glucose availability in the presence of nutrient deprivation.