Effects of hyperlipidic diet-induced obesity on placental transcriptome and fetal development: FTO-related biological...

The FTO gene is strongly linked to obesity, but its mechanisms in fetal growth and placental function under maternal obesity remain unclear. This study investigated FTO-related biological processes in the placental transcriptome and fetal development using a diet-induced obesity model.

Swiss mice were fed a 45% high-fat diet for 4 weeks and classified as obesity-prone (HFP) or obesity-resistant (HFR). Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in placentas. Maternal and fetal parameters were correlated with placental FTO expression, and in vitro analyses evaluated obesogenic conditions on FTO mRNA in placental cells.

Distinct transcriptomic profiles were observed between groups. HFP mice showed increased DEGs linked to placental development and anatomical structure, but a reduction in response to growth factors and cell differentiation. In HFP mice, placental FTO expression correlated negatively with pre-gestational weight gain and placental weight, but positively with fetal weight, crown-rump length, biparietal diameter, and transverse abdominal diameter. These associations were absent in HFR mice. In vitro, obesogenic conditions significantly reduced FTO mRNA expression.

The obesity phenotype modulates the relationship between placental FTO expression and fetal development. These findings highlight FTO as a potential mediator of placental adaptations and fetal growth under maternal obesogenic conditions.