Maternal blood glucose level is correlated to offspring brain fatty acid composition in a mouse model for gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may increase the risk of suboptimal neurocognitive development in infants. Maternal supply of omega-3 and -6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), including eicosapentaeonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, are critical for offspring brain development. To study the effects of GDM on offspring brain fatty acid composition, C57BL/6J mice were exposed to short-term high-fat diet feeding and low-dose streptozotocin treatments before pregnancy. Maternal blood glucose levels positively correlated to offspring brain omega 6:omega 3 ratio at postnatal day 2 and day 21, which appeared to be driven specifically by higher omega-6 LCPUFA levels. GDM may be associated with impaired brain fatty acid profile in offspring, and this may underpin altered neurodevelopmental outcomes after GDM pregnancies. These findings support further investigation into the therapeutic potential of postnatal dietary interventions targeting fatty acid status in infants born after GDM.