Interventions to prevent adverse fetal programming due to maternal obesity during pregnancy

Abstract

Maternal obesity is a global epidemic affecting both developed and developing countries. Human and animal studies indicate that maternal obesity adversely programs the development of offspring, predisposing them to chronic diseases later in life. Several mechanisms act together to produce these adverse health effects. There is a consequent need for effective interventions that can be used in the management of human pregnancy to prevent these outcomes. The present review analyzes the dietary and exercise intervention studies performed to date in both altricial and precocial animals, rats and sheep, with the aim of preventing adverse offspring outcomes. The results of these interventions present exciting opportunities to prevent, at least in part, adverse metabolic and other outcomes in obese mothers and their offspring.

Keywords: diet intervention; exercise intervention; fetal programming; maternal obesity.

Figure 1

Time line of the dietary intervention studies in maternal obesity.

Figure 2

Time line study of the exercise intervention studies in maternal obesity.

Figure 3

Rat serum corticosterone levels: (A) maternal pre-pregnant, (B) maternal end of lactation (C) 2 days offspring male and female combined neonate and (D) 110 d young adult male. Mean ± SEM; n = 6. C control diet, MO maternal obesity, DINT maternal dietary intervention, MOEx maternal obesity exercise intervention; p<0.05 for groups not sharing at least one letter.

Figure 4

Rat male offspring (A) body weight (B) fat and (C) adiposity index at 650 days. Mean ± SEM; n = 6. C control diet, MO maternal obesity, DINT maternal dietary intervention, MOEx, maternal obesity exercise intervention; p<0.05 for groups not sharing at least one letter.

Figure 5

Representative pictures of male offspring at postnatal day 650. C control diet, MO maternal obesity and DINT maternal dietary intervention.

Figure 6

Representative pictures of male offspring at postnatal day 650. C control diet, CEx control diet + maternal exercise intervention, MO maternal obesity and MOEx maternal obesity + maternal exercise intervention.

Figure 7

Sheep fetal A) ACTH and B) cortisol, and maternal C) ACTH and D) cortisol at 75 and 135 days gestation (0.5 and 0.9G; Term 150 days gestation). Control (CON - open), maternal obesity (MO - solid), maternal obesity dietary intervention (MOI - striped); Mean ± SEM; n = 6; p<0.05 ** vs CON and MO, * vs CON and MOI.