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Maternal Obesity and Programming of the Early Embryo

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Parental Obesity: Intergenerational Programming and Consequences

Part of the book series: Physiology in Health and Disease ((PIHD))

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Abstract

Obesity is on the increase and becoming one of the biggest health concerns worldwide due to associated non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic dysfunction. Epidemiological and experimental evidence shows that obesity does not only impact on the individual but also on progeny across generations, implying contributing causal factors other than postnatal lifestyle. A wealth of studies have confirmed that maternal obesity is linked to offspring BMI and non-communicable diseases in later life through developmental programming in utero. This is mediated by developmental plasticity whereby the developing organism adapts to prevailing conditions. Developmental plasticity and its consequences are detectable as early as preimplantation, before the mother is aware of her pregnancy. Significantly, embryo transfer and developmental studies indicate the adult non-communicable disease phenotype can be traced back to the periconception period with poorer quality oocytes and embryos. Here, we give an overview of our current understanding of mechanisms involved linking preimplantation embryo morphogenesis and metabolism through to gene expression and epigenetic regulation in response to adverse environments such as obesity. Potential upstream mediators such as embryonic environmental sensors and maternal inducers are considered, including the impact of the reproductive tract at the maternal–embryonic interphase at a time preceding the formation of a functional placenta.

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Abbreviations

AMPK:

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase

ART:

Assisted reproductive technologies

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

DOHaD:

Developmental origins of health and disease

EGA:

Embryonic genome activation

Epi:

Epiblast

ER:

Endoplasmic reticulum

ET:

Embryo transfer

ICM:

Inner cell mass

mTORC1:

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1

NEFA:

Non-esterified fatty acids

NCD:

Non-communicable diseases

PE:

Primary endoderm

PPAR:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

TE:

Trophectoderm

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Mailpoint 840, Level D Laboratories and Pathology Block, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16, 6YD, UK

    J. J. Eckert

  2. Centre of Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16, 6YD, UK

    M. A. Velazquez & T. P. Fleming

  3. School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    M. A. Velazquez

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  1. J. J. Eckert
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  2. M. A. Velazquez
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  3. T. P. Fleming
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Correspondence to J. J. Eckert .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

    Lucy R. Green

  2. Medical Center, The University of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, USA

    Robert L. Hester

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Eckert, J.J., Velazquez, M.A., Fleming, T.P. (2016). Maternal Obesity and Programming of the Early Embryo. In: Green, L., Hester, R. (eds) Parental Obesity: Intergenerational Programming and Consequences. Physiology in Health and Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6386-7_5

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