Abstract
Nicholas, Lisa
PhD candidate, Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia
Maternal weight loss around the time of conception has a negative impact on insulin signalling in her offspring after birth
The current global obesity epidemic has been reflected by an increase in the number of women who are entering pregnancy obese. Studies carried out in the last decade have shown that in the US, UK and Australia the prevalence of obesity in women aged between 20 and 39 years, is around 28%, 20% and 15% respectively. Maternal obesity not only reduces the rate of conception but also imposes a number of serious risks during pregnancy. Dietary restriction and weight loss prior to pregnancy has, therefore, been proposed for overweight and obese women.
The impact of maternal overnutrition and weight loss around the time of conception on molecules of the insulin signalling network in muscle of the offspring remains unknown. The muscle is an important metabolic organ as it accounts for up to 75% of insulin-dependent glucose uptake and therefore plays a key role in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Our study has revealed that offspring that were exposed to maternal overnutrition and weight loss around the time of conception developed muscle that had a reduced abundance of insulin signalling molecules and subsequent altered capacity for glucose uptake.
This study therefore provides evidence that exposure of the egg/early embryo to an environment of ‘nutritional deprivation’ is sufficient to bring about metabolic changes in the offspring that persist after birth. These changes may have long term implications for the offspring’s ability to maintain blood sugar levels thus resulting in insulin resistance and subsequent progression to diabetes.