Nutrients can regulate metabolic activities of living organisms through epigenetic mechanisms,
including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA regulation. Since the nutrients required
for early embryos and postpartum lactation are derived in whole or in part from maternal and lactating
nutrition, the maternal nutritional level affects the growth and development of fetus and creates a
profound relationship between disease development and early environmental exposure in the offspring’s
later life. Protein is one of the most important biological macromolecules, involved in almost every process
of life, such as information transmission, energy processing and material metabolism. Maternal protein
intake levels may affect the integrity of the fetal genome and alter DNA methylation and gene expression.
Most amino acids are supplied to the fetus from the maternal circulation through active transport
of placenta. Some amino acids, such as methionine, as dietary methyl donor, play an important role
in DNA methylation and body’s one-carbon metabolism. The purpose of this review is to describe effects
of maternal dietary protein and amino acid intake on fetal and neonatal growth and development through
epigenetic mechanisms, with examples in humans and animals.
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