Parents bequeath part of their genome to their children, but it is also possible that they also pass on… the consequences of their way of life. At least as far as the father is concerned. Indeed, two new studies provide proof that the diet of the father would have an impact on the health and weight of his offspring. In other words, if the father eats poorly, this risks rubbing off on his offspring.
In first study Chinese, female mice were fertilized with the sperm of rodents that ate either normal or very fatty foods. In the end, the mice that had had malnourished fathers showed glucose intolerance and less insulin resistance. Both of these are known to increase the risk of developing diabetes.
A change in stem cells
In the US study, the researchers put one group of mice on a high-protein diet and another on a more traditional diet. Published in the journal Sciencethe results show that changes occurred in genes responsible for the development of stem cells. These undifferentiated cells are able to transform into different types of cells (pluripotent cells) in the body and are able to repair tissues.
This latest study therefore shows the growing importance of epigenetics on our health and on the development of diseases. In fact, epigenetics corresponds to the modifications undergone by our genome in response to environmental variations: in other words, our way of life can also be part of our genes and therefore be transmitted.
>> To read also: Osteoarthritis of the knee: the hope of stem cells
Stress makes kids eat more
