A study on mice showed that a father’s diet may impact the anxiety levels of his sons and the metabolic health of his daughters even before they are conceived. The research, which was published in Nature Communications, discovered that the balance of macronutrients in the diet of male mice can influence the anxiety-like behavior of their sons and the metabolic health of their daughters. This study represents progress in understanding how a father’s diet can have lasting effects on future generations through his sperm. It also suggests that dietary guidelines for fathers-to-be may need to be adjusted with the aim of promoting the health of their future children.The next generation’s risk of metabolic disease and mood disorders can be influenced by the diet of their parents, according to a new study from an international team of researchers. This study confirms that fathers can shape the health of their offspring through their own diet, similar to how parents try to shape the interests and behavior of their children. Previous research has shown that a male mouse’s diet can affect both his own reproductive health and the health of his offspring. Over- or under-feeding male mice can impact their offspring’s metabolism, behavior, and risk of cancer.
Researchers in the international GECKO consortium wanted to investigate whether the diet of male mice before conception had different health impacts on their offspring. The study was led by scientists in Copenhagen, Sydney, and Chicago.
At the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre in Australia, male mice were fed one of ten different diets with varying proportions of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. After mating with females reared on a standard diet, the behavior and physiology of the resulting pups were then examined.
Dietary composition is just as important as the number of calories consumed
According to the researchers, male mice that were given low protein and high carbohydrate diets were more likely to have male offspring with increased levels of anxiety, as indicated by their time spent in the safe zones of their maze. Additionally, they observed that male mice that were fed high-fat diets were more likely to have daughters with higher body fat levels and markers of metabolic disease.
“Our study demonstrates that the pre-conception diet can influence the specific characteristics of the next generation,” says co-senior researcher.The leader of the GECKO consortium, Professor Romain Barrès from the University of Copenhagen and Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, stated that it is remarkable how adjusting the protein, fat, and carbohydrate levels in a father’s diet can impact the health and behavior of his children. Professor Stephen Simpson, co-senior author and Academic Director of the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, added that there is important biology involved in this process. The research team also found that males on a low protein diet consumed more food overall. However, they were able to determine this due to the study design.that consider not only the quantity of calories consumed, but also the balance of macronutrients. Professor Romain Barrès stated, “Our research demonstrates that the composition of the diet plays a crucial role in the health of future generations, not just the amount of food eaten.” The study was carried out using mice and has paved the way for further investigation into the molecular processes involved. This research with mice is one part of a larger set of studies conducted by the GECKO consortium, which includes research on humans and other mammals at various collaborating institutions. “We believe that our findings represent a step forward in establishing dietary recommendations that take into account both the quantity and quality of food consumed,” Professor Barrès added.Professor Romain Barrès explains that the study aims to help soon-to-be fathers lower the risk of metabolic disease and mood disorders in future generations. The research was published in Nature Communications in 2024 and can be found at this link: <a href=”http://dx.doi.orThe article can be accessed at the following link: 10.1038/s41467-024-46782-y