Effects of maternal obesity in an ovine model on metabolic outcomes in F2 adults and F3 neonates

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that indications of metabolic syndrome can be inherited through the germline as a result of maternal obesity. We hypothesized that diet-induced maternal obesity during gestation would program metabolic consequences for multiple generations of offspring, even when first, second, and third generation offspring (F1, F2, F3, respectively) were fed only to requirements. Control (CON) and obese (OB) ewes (generation 0; F0) were bred to a single ram to produce the first generation of offspring (F1). From 60 d prior to conception through term, CONF0 ate 100% National Research Council recommendations (NRC), while OBF0 ewes ate 150% NRC. All F1, F2, and F3 ate 100% NRC after weaning. All mature F1 ewes were bred to a single ram to generate CONF2 (n=6) and OBF2 (n=10). All mature F2 ewes were bred to a single ram to produce CONF3 (n=6) and OBF3 (n=10). OBF2 ewes exhibited greater (P