Dietary lipids and regulation of gene expression: role of maternal nutrition

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Maternal nutrition has recently been suggested to play a critical role in the proper growth and development of offspring. Over- or under-exposure to nutrients during pregnancy can alter the structure and function of organs during fetal growth, inducing metabolic changes in the offspring. Dietary fats are essential for proper growth and development. The consumption of fats during pregnancy and lactation influence the transfer of essential fatty acids across the placenta and through breast milk, providing these fatty acids for proper growth, development and metabolic functions of the offspring. Two essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which belong to the omega-6 (n-6) and n-3 class respectively. These fatty acids are the precursors of the longer chain fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (n-6), and eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (n-3), each of which are required for different functions. An optimum balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids is essential to maintain whole body homeostasis. It is not known if changing the ratios of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation affects growth, development and metabolic/physiological functions of the offspring. We have established the C57Bl/6 mouse as a model to study the effect of maternal dietary fats on offspring metabolism. We will vary the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios in the diets of pregnant C57Bl/6 mice to study the effect on the regulation of metabolic pathways of the offspring, especially the lipid and cholesterol metabolism. We will also study if maternal diet has an effect on the contraction and relaxation of blood vessels of the offspring. Finally, we will study if the effects of maternal diet can be reversed by the diet of the offspring, and also the mechanisms that are responsible for the effects of maternal diet. This research is novel as the findings will, for the first time, establish the importance of maternal dietary n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios on the offspring metabolism and physiology. Many highly qualified young professionals will be trained over five years in a novel research area, which will enable them further careers in academia, industry or government.