β-hydroxybutyrate reduces blastocyst viability via trophectoderm-mediated metabolic aberrations in mice

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: What is the effect of the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) on preimplantation mouse embryo development, metabolism, epigenetics and post-transfer viability? SUMMARY ANSWER: In vitro βOHB exposure at ketogenic diet (KD)-relevant serum concentrations significantly impaired preimplantation mouse embryo development, induced aberrant glycolytic metabolism and reduced post-transfer fetal viability in a sex-specific manner. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A maternal KD in humans elevates gamete and offspring βOHB exposure during conception and gestation, and in rodents is associated with an increased time to pregnancy, and altered offspring organogenesis, post-natal growth and behaviour, sugg..