Obesity and the Maternal Lipid Profile: Role of Diet in Epigenetic Transfer on the Offspring

Abstract

Aim: investigate the implications of HFD induced obesity on the lipid profile in parent rats and their offspring. Methodology: Twenty adult female rats (100 - 150g) were grouped into A and B which received NRC and HFD respectively for 16 weeks. Group B rats with BMI >0.50g/cm2 were considered obese. Adult male Wistar rats fed with NRC were introduced to each group, to ensure mating and pregnancy after feeding. The offspring produced by the rats in each group were divided into two groups of 20 rats each. They were fed with NRC for 12 months. The plasma obtained from the parent and offspring were analysed for lipid profile test. Result: The parent rats fed with HFD had higher Cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL compared with the rats fed with NRC. At 4 and 12 months, the offspring of HFD fed rats had lower triglyceride and LDL compared with offspring of NRC fed rats. The offspring of HFD fed rats had higher HDL compared with the offspring of NRC fed rats at 8 months. Conclusion: if offspring of obese HFD fed rats are placed on NRC throughout their life time, the consequence of maternal obesity on their lipid profile may notmanifest.