Paternal Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diet Impairs the Metabolic and Reproductive Health of Progeny in Rats
Carlos Larqué,
Haydée Lugo-Martínez,
Xiadany Mendoza,
Monserrat Nochebuena,
Luis Novo,
Ricardo Vilchis,
Guadalupe Sánchez-Bringas,
Laura Ubaldo,
Myrian Velasco,
Rene Escalona
Affiliations
Carlos Larqué
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Haydée Lugo-Martínez
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Xiadany Mendoza
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Monserrat Nochebuena
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Luis Novo
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Ricardo Vilchis
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Guadalupe Sánchez-Bringas
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Laura Ubaldo
Departamento de Anatomía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Myrian Velasco
Neuroscience Division, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, AP 70-253 Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Rene Escalona
Laboratory of Embryology and Genetics, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Due to the increased incidence of obesity, it is of great importance to identify all the possible consequences in those who suffer from it and their descendants. This study aimed to investigate how paternal obesity, resulting from an 18-week high-fat diet (HFD), affects the metabolic and reproductive health of offspring. In the fathers (F0 generation), the HFD led to significant weight gain, primarily due to increased visceral fat. It also resulted in impaired glucose control and reduced insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, F0 males from the HFD group had reduced sperm concentration and lower sperm viability but were still able to sire litters. F1 offspring were monitored during 18 weeks; F1 offspring from obese fathers displayed increased body weight during the experimental window, especially in males, without significant metabolic disturbances. Additionally, F1 males showed reduced sperm viability, indicating potential reproductive implications. On the other hand, F1 females showed normal estrous cycle patterns but had a reduced number of primordial follicles, suggesting a decrease in their follicular reserve and reproductive potential. This study highlights that metabolic and reproductive issues may be passed down to future generations through the paternal line.
