Maternal Obesity Programs Glucose Intolerance in Pregnant Female Offspring

Maternal high-fat (HF) diet induces adiposity in first-generation (F1) female offspring, impairing metabolic adaptations during pregnancy. F1 offspring from HF diet-fed dams show diminished fat gain and reduced serum triglycerides, disrupting nutrient availability for fetal growth. Impaired insulin production in F1 pregnancy leads to glucose intolerance, driven by reduced insulin secretion despite normal β-cell mass. Unlike male offspring, F1 females exhibit resistance to fat expansion under HF diet challenge, suggesting sex-specific programming. These findings underscore a transgenerational cycle of metabolic dysfunction, highlighting the need for interventions against maternal obesity.