Intergenerational effects of cafeteria diet-induced obesity on metabolic and reproductive outcome in rats

The worldwide health crisis caused by obesity is not only a concern for individuals, but its impact may extend to future generations. Studies have indicated that parental obesity can influence offspring’s metabolic and reproductive health. However, the sex-specific contribution of parental obesity on the metabolic and reproductive health of their offspring is not fully explained. In the present study, we used a Cafeteria diet (Caf) to induce obesity and investigated the possible intergenerational implications of parental obesity on the offspring. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a rodent standard chow or a Caf diet, which included a variety of energy-dense human snacks, for 20 weeks. Offspring (F1 generation) were generated by breeding female rats from both diet groups with males of control and Caf diet groups. Parents on the Caf diet showed a marked increase in body weight and exhibited adverse changes in their cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglyceride/HDL ratio, and glucose tolerance. Notably, F0 males were more severely affected than females. Reproductive indices were affected by both maternal and paternal obesity with reduced fertility and increased stillbirth. Furthermore, altered levels of circulatory progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol showed the impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the disturbed onset of puberty. Both male and female offspring showed hyperglycemia and imbalances in lipid levels, particularly influenced by maternal obesity. The results indicate that obesity may have profound effects, potentially leading to metabolic and reproductive issues in future generations. This study highlights the importance of parental health and diet choices on the well-being of their children.