Latha Ramalingam (NFS – NSD) PI and Steve Dorus (BIO) co-I, Impact of Paternal Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Offspring Metabolic Health, American Heart Association. 04/01/22- 03/31/24
Obesity in mothers has been the focus in the study of early life nutrition and children’s health, while obesity in fathers has been largely overlooked. In the United States, about 2 in 3 males of reproductive age are either overweight or suffer from obesity. This is important because children of obese fathers have an increased risk of obesity, regardless of mother’s weight. Further, obesity in fathers alters sperm biology. This includes alterations in gene regulators called miRNAs. Fish oil (FO) derived from fatty fish is effective in reducing obesity. FO is known to reduces adverse effects of obesity in mother and improve offspring health.
Still unknown, however, is the role of FO consumption in the preconception period in fathers and its subsequent impact on offspring. The main problem addressed in this proposal is to reduce obesity in fathers using nutritional interventions (FO). This will in turn improve the metabolic health of mice offspring. Insights from this study will identify mechanisms behind fathers’ FO consumption. Also, we will identify the FO role in improving offspring metabolic health. Our research findings will support science behind fish or FO consumption in fathers before conception. This will thereby reduce obesity in children for healthier lives.