Australia

Researchers find impact of obesity on fertility can be reversed

By RJ Whitehead

- Last updated on GMT

Researchers used compound to alleviate stress in the mitochondria
Researchers used compound to alleviate stress in the mitochondria

Related tags Obesity

Researchers believe they have discovered how damage from obesity is passed from a mother to her child, and also how that damage can be reversed.

The breakthrough discovery was made by a team at the University of Adelaide’s  Robinson Research Institute led by Associate Professor Rebecca Robker.

It's now well established that female obesity can lead to serious fertility problems, including the inability to conceive. Obesity can also result in the altered growth of babies during pregnancy, and it permanently programmes the metabolism of offspring, passing the damage caused by obesity from one generation to the next.

Pinpointing the problem

"In our laboratory studies, we've been able to unravel a key mechanism that leads to this multi-generational damage, and we've found a way to stop it happening​," said Robker.

The research team found that obesity leads to a particular stress response that causes damage to the mitochondria, which are critical energy-producing “organs​” within living cells.

"All of the mitochondria in our bodies come from our mother. If the mother is obese, this produces stresses that lead to reduced transmission of mitochondria to the offspring. We found that the eggs of such mothers lead to heavier-than-normal fetuses with greatly reduced amounts of mitochondrial DNA and other obvious signs of damage​," she said.

Having pinpointed the problem, Robker and her colleagues then attempted to stop it from occurring.

"Once we had identified the type of stress involved, we used compounds known to alleviate that stress in the cells. In particular, we were interested in compounds that are also being tested in diabetes clinical trials​.

Damage can be reversed 

"These compounds were highly successful in preventing the stress response, thereby stopping the damage from obesity being passed onto the offspring. It restored egg quality, embryo development and mitochondrial DNA to levels equivalent to those of a healthy mother. Effectively, the problem was fully reversed​."

Robker said the results of point towards a potential future therapy to restore "natural​" fertility in obese women, and to prevent multi-generational damage passing onto their children.

"Importantly, this work further highlights that a women's nutritional state prior to getting pregnant matters greatly. Women are urged to eat healthy diets to optimise their chances for a healthy conception and to reduce the potential impact on their child's future health​.” 

This research is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and published in the journal Development

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Empowering Women Through the Life Cycle

Empowering Women Through the Life Cycle

Content provided by Glanbia Nutritionals | 07-Nov-2023 | Product Brochure

As discussions around female empowerment widen, and advances in women’s health access and provision accelerate, the implications for business, healthcare,...

Analyzing the unknown threat from Microplastics

Analyzing the unknown threat from Microplastics

Content provided by Agilent Technologies | 06-Nov-2023 | Infographic

Microplastics are any plastic-derived synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm and insoluble in water.

Pycnogenol® Supports Cognitive Function

Pycnogenol® Supports Cognitive Function

Content provided by Horphag Research | 18-Sep-2023 | White Paper

Clinical research shows daily supplementation with Pycnogenol® may help support brain function in a variety of age groups with results showing improved...

Functional Beverage Market Insights in ASPAC

Functional Beverage Market Insights in ASPAC

Content provided by Glanbia Nutritionals | 06-Jul-2023 | Product Brochure

High growth ahead for protein beverages makes Asia Pacific (ASPAC) the market to watch. Consumer research shows new usage occasions, key consumption barriers,...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Food & Beverage Trailblazers

F&B Trailblazers Podcast