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Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy or lactation changes the somatic and neurological development of the

Cristiano Mendes-da-Silva1, Catherine Ássuka Giriko1, Laís Vales Mennitti1

  • 1Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SantosSP, Brazil, Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos SP, Brazil;

Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|March 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) negatively impacts offspring development. This study found HFD exposure during pregnancy or lactation in rats led to reduced growth and delayed motor and sensory development in offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) is linked to altered offspring programming and potential brain development disturbances.
  • Understanding the impact of maternal HFD on early development is crucial for identifying long-term health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of maternal HFD during pregnancy and lactation on the somatic and sensory-motor development of rat offspring.
  • To compare offspring development between dams fed HFD and a control diet.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated offspring indicators of body growth, physical maturation, and reflex ontogeny.
  • Utilized a rat model with dams exposed to HFD or control diet during critical reproductive periods.

Main Results:

  • Offspring from HFD-fed dams exhibited reduced body weight and growth.
  • Delayed physical maturation and delayed maturation of physiological reflexes (e.g., vibrissa placing, auditory startle, righting reflex) were observed.
  • Somatic and neurological development were modified by maternal HFD exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal HFD during pregnancy or lactation adversely affects offspring somatic and neurological development.
  • This may increase the offspring's risk for future neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric disorders.

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