THE EFFECT OF DIET-INDUCED OBESITY AND SATIETY SUPPRESSED OBESITY ON FETAL GROWTH AND THE PLACENTAL TRANSCRIPTOME

Maternal obesity negatively impacts fetal development and increases childhood risk for metabolic syndrome. We evaluated obesity-dependent changes in lipid metabolism in the dam and if the changes in lipid profiles interfere with fetal growth and placental efficiency. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J by consumption of western diet (B6-WD). In addition, lethal yellow mice (LY), which are satiety-suppressed model, was used as an alternate obesity model. Age-matched LY (n=7), B6-WD (n=5), and control B6 mice fed a normal rodent chow (B6-ND, n=6) were mated with lean B6 males. 44 Pregnancy was confirmed and dams euthanized on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) of gestation. Using mass spectrometry, significant differences in circulating lipid features were identified between the experimental groups, particularly in B6-WD dams. For example, phosphatidylcholine lipids were significantly increased (P Advisor: Jennifer R. Woo