Perinatal Caprine Milk Oligosaccharides Consumption: Altering the Maternal and Offspring Liver Gene Expression

Background: Consumption of Caprine Milk Oligosaccharides (CMO) by dams during gestation and lactation, compared to a control diet or a diet supplemented with Galacto-Oligosaccharides (GOS), was associated with decreased maternal liver weight, increased offspring body weight and length at weaning, and increased offspring visceral fat and serum leptin concentration 30 days after weaning. Aim: This study aimed to characterise the effects of perinatal consumption of CMOs on maternal and offspring liver gene expression. Methods: To liver gene expression, microarray analysis was conducted on liver samples from dams and offspring. Results: Differences in the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism were observed in dams and changes in expression of hepatic genes involved in energy balance and steroid metabolism were observed in pups at weaning. Conclusion: Perinatal consumption of CMO diet affects expression of genes in the liver involved in energy balance in dams, and in pups at weaning.