Maternal predator‐exposure affects offspring size at birth but not telomere length in a live‐bearing fish

Abstract Context DLK1 (delta like non-canonical notch ligand 1) is a paternally-expressed imprinted gene that encodes an epidermal growth factor repeat-containing transmembrane protein. A bioactive, truncated DLK1 protein is present in the circulation, and has roles in development and metabolism. Objective We sought to investigate links between maternal pregnancy circulating DLK1 concentrations and: (1) maternal and fetal DLK1 genotypes, (2) maternal insulin resistance and secretion and (3) offspring size at birth. Patients, design and setting We measured third trimester maternal serum DLK1 concentrations and examined their associations with parentally-transmitted fetal and maternal DLK1 genotypes, indices of maternal insulin resistance and secretion derived from 75g oral glucose tolerance tests performed around week 28 of pregnancy, and offspring size at birth in 613 pregnancies from the Cambridge Baby Growth Study. Results Maternal DLK1 concentrations were associated with the paternally-transmitted fetal DLK1 rs12147008 allele (p=7.8x10 -3) but not with maternal rs12147008 genotype (p=0.4). Maternal DLK1 concentrations were positively associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI (p=3.5x10 6), and (after adjustment for maternal BMI) with both maternal fasting insulin resistance (HOMA IR: p=0.01) and measures of maternal insulin secretion in response to oral glucose (insulinogenic index: p=1.2x10 -3; insulin disposition index: p=0.049). Further positive associations were found with offspring weight (p=0.02) and head circumference at birth (p=0.04). Conclusion These results are consistent with a partial paternal or placental origin for the maternal circulating DLK1 which may lead to increased maternal circulating DLK1 concentrations, stimulation of maternal insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia during pregnancy, and the promotion of fetal growth.

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Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation during Pregnancy and Increased Birth Weight and Skinfold Thicknesses in the Offspring: The Cambridge Baby Growth Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113466 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3466

Author(s):

Clive J. Petry ◽

Ken K. Ong ◽

Ieuan A. Hughes ◽

David B. Dunger

Keyword(s):

Glucose Tolerance ◽

Offspring Size ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

Micronutrient Supplementation ◽

Oral Glucose Tolerance ◽

Growth Study ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Multiple Micronutrient ◽

Size At Birth

Multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in pregnancy has previously been associated with positive effects on fetal growth, but its value in high-income countries remains controversial. In this study, we investigated effects of pregnancy MMS on offspring size at birth and adiposity, along with risks of various maternal outcomes of pregnancy, using the prospective Cambridge Baby Growth Study. Maternal MMS was reported in 528 out of 970 women who completed pregnancy questionnaires. Gestational diabetes (GDM) was assessed using results from 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests at week 28 of pregnancy. Offspring size at birth was assessed using standard anthropometric measurements and adiposity using skinfold calipers. MMS was associated with increased risk of developing GDM (risk ratio = 1.86 (1.13–3.08), p = 0.02), as well as increased offspring size at birth in terms of weight (p = 0.03), head circumference (p = 0.04), and flank, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (p = 0.04, 0.03, and 0.003, respectively). There was no association with quadriceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.2), suggesting that the increased adiposity was partially regionalized. In women who underwent oral glucose tolerance testing, nearly all of these associations were attenuated by adjusting for GDM. These results suggest that the increased offspring size at birth, including (regionalized) adiposity associated with pregnancy, and MMS may be partially related to the development of GDM.

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