Effects of High-Sucrose, High-Fat, and High-Sodium Diets on Female Drosophila melanogaster Fertility and Health

Abstract

The obesity epidemic has become a global concern, affecting millions of people. Plummeting global fertility rates indicate a correlation between obesity and infertility, an issue that will likely worsen as the prevalence of maternal obesity rises. The effects of diet can be studied in Drosophila melanogaster, an ideal multicellular model with reproductive processes similar to those of humans. Obesity caused by diets rich in sucrose, sodium, or fat is known to negatively impact Drosophila health, decreasing egg production, shortening lifespan, and even causing transgenerational effects. Conversely, exercise may have beneficial outcomes on female Drosophila that are producing eggs, and its transgenerational effects are yet to be explored. By focusing future studies on female Drosophila affected by a combined diet, results will better replicate a Western diet consumed by women today. This literature review summarizes previous research correlating diet with detrimental effects on health and fertility to better understand the effects of a combined high-fat, sucrose, and sodium diet on female Drosophila. Additionally, this paper explains potential experimentation methods to implement in future studies to improve understanding of diet and fertility in Drosophila and its connotations to human diet and modern-day health.