Paternal physical exercise improves spatial learning ability by enhancing hippocampal neuroplasticity in male pups...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Maternal obesity negatively impacts offspring cognitive function and behavior.
• The role of paternal factors in mitigating these effects is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of paternal physical exercise on spatial learning and hippocampal neuroplasticity in rat pups born to obese mothers.
• To determine if paternal exercise can ameliorate cognitive deficits induced by maternal obesity.

Main Methods:

• Four groups of male rat pups were studied: offspring of normal and obese mothers, with and without paternal exercise.
• Maternal obesity was induced by a high-fat diet prior to and during gestation/lactation.
• Paternal treadmill exercise was conducted for 12 weeks.
• Spatial learning ability, hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B receptor (TrkB) expression, and hippocampal cell proliferation/differentiation were assessed.

Main Results:

• Rat pups born to obese mothers exhibited reduced spatial learning ability.
• Hippocampal expressions of BDNF and TrkB were suppressed, alongside reduced cell proliferation and differentiation, in offspring of obese mothers.
• Paternal treadmill exercise significantly improved spatial learning ability in offspring of obese mothers.
• Paternal exercise increased BDNF and TrkB expressions and enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus of these offspring.

Conclusions:

• Paternal physical exercise can positively influence offspring neurodevelopment and cognitive function.
• Paternal exercise appears to enhance hippocampal neuroplasticity, thereby improving spatial learning in offspring exposed to maternal obesity.
• This suggests a potential strategy for mitigating the intergenerational effects of maternal obesity.