Abstract
We hypothesized that late gestation malnutrition differentially affects expandability of adipose tissues to predispose for early postnatal visceral adiposity. Twin‐lambs born to dams fed HIGH (150%/110% of required energy/protein, respectively), NORM (100% of requirements) or LOW (50% of NORM) diets during the last trimester were used. Postnatally, lambs were raised on moderate (CONV) or high‐carbohydrate‐high‐fat (HCHF) diets. Adipose tissues were sampled at autopsy at 6 months of age (~puberty) to characterize cellularity, adipocyte cross‐sectional area and gene expression patterns. HIGH and LOW compared to NORM lambs had reduced intrinsic (under CONV diet) cellularity in subcutaneous and mesenteric (particularly LOW), and reduced obesity‐induced (under HCHF diet) hyperplasia in subcutaneous, mesenteric and perirenal (particularly HIGH) adipose tissues. This corresponded with more pronounced HCHF diet‐induced hypertrophy in mesenteric (particularly LOW), perirenal (particularly HIGH) and subcutaneous (particularly HIGH) adipose tissues, and tissue‐specific reductions in mRNA expressions for lipid metabolism, angiogenesis and adipose development. Gene expression for inflammation and lipid metabolism markers were increased and decreased, respectively, in HCHF lambs (HCHF lambs became obese) in all tissues. Both prenatal over‐ and undernutrition predisposed for abdominal adiposity and extreme perirenal hypertrophy due to reduced intrinsic (observed under CONV diet) cellularity and impaired ability of subcutaneous, mesenteric and perirenal adipose tissues to expand by hyperplasia rather than hypertrophy on an obesogenic (HCHF) diet.
Highlights
It is well accepted that maternal nutrient restriction during gestation, followed by a mismatching subsequent overnutrition in early life, is associated with increased obesity risk (Cleal et al, 2007; Gluckman, Hanson, & Spencer, 2005; Yan et al, 2017)
In sheep studies conducted by our group, we have in agreement with these observations found that maternal malnutrition both in the form of over- or undernutrition during late gestation results in altered fat deposition patterns, resulting in a higher visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio in the offspring (Khanal et al, 2014; Nielsen et al, 2013)
The subcutaneous fat deposition was higher in NORM lambs compared to HIGH and LOW lambs, a significant difference appeared only between NORM and HIGH lambs
Summary
It is well accepted that maternal nutrient restriction during gestation, followed by a mismatching subsequent overnutrition in early life, is associated with increased obesity risk (Cleal et al, 2007; Gluckman, Hanson, & Spencer, 2005; Yan et al, 2017). Previous studies in higher animals like sheep and pigs have shown that dietary interventions in the form of gestational over- (Giblin et al, 2015; Long, Rule, Tuersunjiang, Nathanielsz, & Ford, 2015; Muhlhausler, Duffield, & McMillen, 2007a, 2007b) or undernutrition (Ford et al, 2007; Yan et al, 2017) can give rise to increased fat deposition and visceral adiposity in the offspring. In sheep studies conducted by our group, we have in agreement with these observations found that maternal malnutrition both in the form of over- or undernutrition during late gestation results in altered fat deposition patterns, resulting in a higher visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio in the offspring (Khanal et al, 2014; Nielsen et al, 2013). Poor expandability of subcutaneous fat may increase the risk of nutrient overflow and excess accumulation of abdominal fat (Spalding et al, 2008, 2017)
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