Fathers that are born small program alterations in the next-generation preimplantation rat embryos

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is associated with increased risk of adult cardiovascular and metabolic disease development, with recent studies highlighting transmission to subsequent generations via both maternal and paternal lines. However, the timing of parent-specific programming of disease risk to the next generation remains to be characterized. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how paternal low birth weight affects the cellular and molecular physiology of the next-generation [second-generation (F2)] blastocysts, before uterine implantation. Methods: Uteroplacental insufficiency was surgically induced in Wistar Kyoto pregnant rats in late gestation, giving rise to first-gene..