Maternal Overweight Disrupts the Sexual Maturation of the Offspring

Abstract

The aims of the present work were to study the effect of maternal overweight and obesity on the ovarian reserve, follicular development, and ovulation of the offspring and to assess whether this maternal condition alters oocyte integrity. To this end, female offspring from rats fed standard (OSD) or cafeteria (OCD) diet were used. Body weight, vaginal opening, and estrous cycle were recorded and ovaries were obtained on the day of the second estrus. In addition, ovarian weight, ovulation rate (measured by the number of oocytes within oviducts), follicular development (determined by histology), and oocyte integrity were examined. The OCD were divided into 2 groups: offspring from rats with 17% and 28% of overweight (OCD17 and OCD28, respectively). Both OCD groups showed higher body weight, but OCD28 also exhibited early vaginal opening and higher ovarian weight and glycemia at euthanasia compared with OSD. Both OCD17 and OCD28 had lower number of primordial and primary follicles, and only OCD28 exhibited lower number of antral follicles, all compared with OSD rats. In addition, both OCD17 and OCD28 had higher ovulation rate than controls, and OCD28 had lower number of healthy oocytes, which, in turn, exhibited morphological alterations such as larger perivitelline space and zona pellucida than those of control animals. These results suggest that maternal overweight may severely affect the reproductive ability of the offspring, likely as a result of altering the organogenesis.

Paternal Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diet Impairs the Metabolic and Reproductive Health of Progeny in Rats

“…Given the intricate relationship between metabolic status and reproduction, it seems feasible to assume that parental obesity might impair the reproductive health of their progeny. For example, female rats sired by obese mothers fed a cafeteria diet have been shown to have a precocious vaginal opening, altered follicle counts, and fewer healthy oocytes [13]. On the other hand, male rats sired by mothers fed an HFD, in addition to increased body weight, displayed seminiferous tubules with abnormal morphology, a decreased sperm count, and reduced plasma testosterone [14].…”