New research published in Nature Communications reveals that the macronutrient balance in the diet of male mice can affect the level of anxiety-like behavior in their sons and the metabolic health of their daughters. This study highlights how a father’s diet can impact the health and behavior of their offspring, paving the way for potential dietary guidelines for fathers to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases and mood disorders in future generations. The study shows that the composition of the father’s diet before conception plays a crucial role in programming specific traits in the next generation.
Scientists have previously found that the diet of male mice can influence their reproductive health as well as the health of their offspring. This new study delves deeper into understanding the diverse types of health impacts on offspring, depending on the type and composition of the father’s diet before conception. Researchers in the international GECKO consortium conducted the study by feeding male mice different diets varying in protein, fats, and carbohydrates and then mating them with females on a standard diet to analyze the behavior and physiology of the resulting offspring.
One key finding from the study was that male mice fed low protein and high carbohydrate diets were more likely to have male offspring with increased anxiety levels. On the other hand, male mice fed high-fat diets were more likely to have daughters with higher body fat and markers of metabolic disease. The study revealed that both the macronutrient composition and the number of calories in the male mice’s diet influenced the health and behavior of their offspring, emphasizing the importance of dietary composition when it comes to the next generation’s health.
Co-senior author Professor Romain Barrès from the University of Copenhagen and Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, highlights the significance of the study in demonstrating how the father’s diet before conception can program specific characteristics in their offspring. Professor Stephen Simpson, co-senior author from the University of Sydney, notes the intriguing biology at play and the impact of dietary composition on the health of future generations. The study’s findings point towards the importance of not only the amount of food consumed but also the composition of the diet in influencing the health of offspring.
While the research was conducted in mice, it has paved the way for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms involved in this transgenerational effect. The GECKO consortium is now looking into broader studies involving humans and other mammals to deepen the understanding of how paternal diet influences offspring health. The ultimate goal of the research is to establish dietary guidelines for fathers-to-be, with the aim of reducing the risk of metabolic diseases and mood disorders in future generations. Overall, this study sheds light on the long-lasting impact of a father’s diet on the health and behavior of their offspring.