title: Diet-induced maternal obesity alters ovarian morphology and gene expression in the adult mouse offspring.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of high-fat (HF) diet-induced maternal obesity on follicular population and gene expression in adult offspring ovaries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental mouse study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice on HF diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female C57BL/6J mice were fed an HF or standard chow (C) diet 6 weeks before conception, through pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were fed the C or HF diet from weaning, creating the HF/HF, HF/C, C/HF, C/C offspring groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follicular counts and gene expression in adult offspring ovaries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prenatal exposure to maternal HF nutrition resulted in the reduction of primordial, antral, and Graafian follicle numbers in offspring ovaries (both HF/C and HF/HF). Expression levels of genes involved in apoptosis (FoXO3a), follicular growth and development (Gdf9), and circadian rhythms generation (Clock and Bmal1) were elevated in the ovaries of HF/C and HF/HF offspring, while expression of the circadian clock genes Cry1 and Per1 were lower in HF/HF ovaries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal obesity during pregnancy has long-term deleterious consequences on follicular growth and development in the adult offspring ovaries, which may impact their reproductive potential.
authors: Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom; Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Cheong
authors: Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom; Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Khaled H
authors: KH
authors: Sadek
authors: Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Kimberley D
authors: KD
authors: Bruce
authors: Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom; Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Macklon
authors: Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom. Electronic address: f.cagampang@soton.ac.uk.
authors: Felino R
authors: FR
authors: Cagampang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Follicle development; gene expression; mouse; obesity; pregnancy