Temperatures around conception affect metabolic health in adulthood

Area of Science:

• Environmental epigenetics
• Human metabolic health
• Brown adipose tissue (BAT) function

Background:

• Epigenetic adaptations around conception can prepare organisms for future environments.
• Pre-conception cold exposure is hypothesized to increase active brown fat mass, aiding adaptation to cold.
• This study investigates the impact of pre-conception temperature on human metabolic health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implications of pre-conception cold exposure on adult human metabolic health.
• To investigate potential epigenetic mechanisms linking environmental conditions to metabolic outcomes.
• To assess the association between temperature during the pre-conception period and adult metabolic markers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UK Biobank data from 437,504 individuals born between 1934 and 1971.
• Matched individual birth data with historical temperature records.
• Employed quasi-random temperature deviations during the pre-conception period to isolate causal effects, using regression models adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

• Individuals conceived in colder-than-usual temperatures exhibited lower adult body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
• Lower levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol were observed in adulthood for those conceived in colder conditions.
• The effect on glycated hemoglobin was less pronounced compared to other metabolic markers.

Conclusions:

• Pre-conception environmental conditions significantly influence long-term human metabolic health.
• Epigenetic mechanisms related to brown fat activity may mediate these effects.
• Findings have implications for climate change adaptation and the impact of indoor insulation on health.