Babies in the womb have the ability to control their mother’s metabolism, thanks to a greedy gene inherited from their fathers, according to new research from Cambridge University. The study reveals that fetuses use a copy of this gene to manipulate their mother’s nutrient release during pregnancy, creating a nutritional tug-of-war between the two.
The mother’s body wants the baby to survive, but it also needs to maintain enough glucose and fats for her own health, as well as to support the delivery of the baby, breastfeeding, and future reproductive abilities. The placenta, an essential organ that develops alongside the fetus, plays a crucial role in communication between the mother and the baby, ensuring that the mother’s body allocates nutrients for the baby’s growth.
The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, involved selectively altering signaling cells in the placenta of pregnant mice. This allowed the scientists to observe how the mother’s nutrient allocation was affected. They found that genes inherited from the father exerted a remote control effect on the mother’s metabolism, pushing her to provide more nutrients for the fetus.
Co-senior author Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, a fellow of St John’s College, explains that this is the first direct evidence of a gene from the father signaling to the mother to divert nutrients to the fetus. The researchers discovered that the father’s genes tend to promote fetal growth, while the mother’s genes limit it. This reflects the potential conflict between the mother and the fetus, with imprinted genes and the placenta playing key roles.
The team further investigated the role of a specific imprinted gene called Igf2, which controls the production of a protein called Insulin Like Growth Factor 2. This gene is responsible for promoting fetal growth and the development of fetal tissues, including the placenta, liver, and brain. By deleting the expression of the Igf2 gene in the placenta’s signaling cells, the researchers found that the mother didn’t produce enough glucose and fats for the fetus. This led to insufficient fetal growth and potential health issues in the offspring.
The study highlights the crucial role of the controlled allocation of nutrients to the fetus for the lifelong health of the offspring. Moreover, it sheds light on the significant influence of the placenta, which not only supports the fetus during pregnancy but also leaves a lasting impact on the development and function of fetal organs in later life.
The researchers believe that further research in this area could contribute to the development of strategies to protect the health of both mothers and babies. Understanding the intricate interactions between the baby’s genes, the placenta, and the mother’s metabolism could lead to advancements in prenatal care and the prevention of potential health conditions in the future.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking research reveals the complex dynamics between the fetus and the mother’s metabolism during pregnancy. The findings emphasize the vital role of genes inherited from the father in manipulating the mother’s nutrient allocation in favor of the fetus. This discovery opens new avenues for scientific exploration and holds promise for improving maternal and fetal health outcomes in the future.
