Maternal obesity has little effect on the immediate offspring but impacts on the next generation

King, V., Dakin, R. S., Liu, L., Hadoke, P. W. F., Walker, B. R., Seckl, J. R., Norman, J. E. and Drake, A. J. (2013) Maternal obesity has little effect on the immediate offspring but impacts on the next generation. Endocrinology, 154(7), pp. 2514-2524. (doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1013)

Abstract

Maternal obesity during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and cardiometabolic disease in the offspring, a phenomenon attributed to developmental programming. Programming effects may be transmissible across generations through both maternal and paternal inheritance, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Using a mouse model, we explored the effects of moderate maternal diet-induced obesity (DIO) on weight gain and glucose-insulin homeostasis in first-generation (F1) and second-generation offspring. DIO was associated with insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia before pregnancy. Birth weight was reduced in female offspring of DIO mothers (by 6%, P = .039), and DIO offspring were heavier than controls at weaning (males by 47%, females by 27%), however there were no differences in glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, or hepatic gene expression at 6 months. Despite the relative lack of effects in the F1, we found clear fetal growth restriction and persistent metabolic changes in otherwise unmanipulated second-generation offspring with effects on birth weight, insulin levels, and hepatic gene expression that were transmitted through both maternal and paternal lines. This suggests that the consequences of the current dietary obesity epidemic may also have an impact on the descendants of obese individuals, even when the phenotype of the F1 appears largely unaffected.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dakin, Dr Rachel and King, Dr Vicky and Walker, Dr Brian and Norman, Professor Jane
• Authors: King, V., Dakin, R. S., Liu, L., Hadoke, P. W. F., Walker, B. R., Seckl, J. R., Norman, J. E., and Drake, A. J.
• Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Endocrinology
• Publisher: Endocrine Society
• ISSN: 0013-7227
• ISSN (Online): 1945-7170
• First Published: First published in Endocrinology 154(7):2514-2524
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Related URLs

• PubMed UK