Changes in milk composition in obese rats consuming a high-fat diet

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Developmental biology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Maternal obesity is a growing concern impacting pregnancy outcomes.
• High-fat diets can induce obesity and alter metabolic functions.
• The effects of maternal obesity on mammary gland function and offspring development require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of maternal obesity, induced by a high-fat diet, on maternal mammary gland structure and function.
• To assess the consequences of maternal obesity on offspring brain, liver, and fat development.
• To analyze changes in milk composition and its relation to maternal and offspring outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Mothers were fed either a control or obesogenic diet from weaning through lactation.
• Offspring were assessed for brain weight and fat depots at postnatal days 21 and 36.
• Maternal liver and mammary gland fatty acid profiles, desaturase and elongase protein expression, and milk composition were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Maternal obesity led to increased liver, mammary gland, and milk fat content.
• Milk yield, water, carbohydrate, EPA, and DHA were lower in obese mothers, while leptin and arachidonic acid were higher.
• Offspring of obese mothers exhibited reduced brain weight and increased fat depots, with males more affected in absolute brain weight.

Conclusions:

• Maternal obesity induced by obesogenic diets adversely affects maternal liver and mammary gland function.
• Significant alterations in milk composition occur, impacting offspring development.
• Maternal obesity negatively influences offspring metabolism, leading to reduced brain weight and increased adiposity.