Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

A Novel Use of Three-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography for Early Pregnancy Characterization in the Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2017
Differential effects of high-fat diets before pregnancy and/or during pregnancy on fetal growth development
Ya-Ping Song1, Yuan-Hua Chen2, Lan Gao1
1Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
Aims:
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diets before pregnancy and/or during pregnancy on fetal development.
Main Methods:
Female mice were fed with standard diets (SD) or high-fat diets (HFD). After 12 weeks, females were mated. In the SD + SD and HFD + SD groups, pregnant mice were fed with standard diets. In the SD + HFD and HFD + HFD groups, pregnant mice were fed with high-fat diets. All pregnant mice were sacrificed on gestational day (GD) 16.
Key Findings:
Fetal weight and crown-rump length were increased in SD + HFD-fed mice, whereas were decreased in HFD + SD-fed mice. The levels of CRP and TNF-α in maternal serum and amniotic fluid were elevated in all HFD-fed mice. Placenta weight was elevated in SD + HFD-fed but not in HFD + SD-fed mice. Blood sinusoid areas, and the number of Ki67-positive cells, a marker of cell proliferation, were elevated in placental labyrinth layer of SD + HFD-fed mice, but decreased in HFD + SD-fed mice. Finally, placental Fatp1, a fatty acid transporter gene, was up-regulated in SD + HFD-fed mice. By contrary, placental Fatp1, and Snat2, an amino acid transporter, were down-regulated in HFD + SD-fed mice. Moreover, the levels of placental FATP4 and SNAT2 were up-regulated in SD + HFD-fed mice.
Significance:
HFD before pregnancy and HFD during pregnancy differentially disturb fetal growth development. HFD before pregnancy-induced fetal SGA might be partially attributed to inflammatory cytokines and mediators derived from maternal adipose tissue. By contrary, HFD during pregnancy-induced fetal overweight may be partially attributed to the increase of placental nutrient transport capacity.
Related Concept Videos
Meristems and Plant Growth
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Population Growth
Sustainable Development
Buffer Effectiveness
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...

