Effects of maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and postnatal high fat nutrition on preference for voluntary exercise versus eating: Relations between behavioural changes and endocrine and metabolic profiles
Final Report Abstract
My research project was based on previous findings in Prof Breier's laboratory which provide experimental evidence that a mother's nutrition during pregnancy can result in a long-term shift in her offsprings' lifestyle choices that are relevant to obesity prevention. Such a shift, if endorsed, has substantial and wide-ranging health consequences throughout the lifespan. Preliminary results of my research in New Zealand have already been presented at international scientific meetings showing that while IUGR offspring who did not exercise developed obesity and associated metabolic changes, daily moderate exercise prevented obesity development and normalised metabolic parameters. Importantly offspring of mothers who were undernourished during pregnancy had a higher capacity for oxidative metabolism such that they can easily shift their energy metabolism from storage to usage. A higher inherent preference for voluntary exercise in choice studies is compatible with these physiological changes of muscle structure and function. The completion of this research programme is continuing in my laboratory in Hannover and in Prof Breier's laboratory in Auckland. Specifically, studies of muscle fat metabolism and of muscle morphology will be consolidated and compared with specific parameters characterising liver metabolism, and with data about muscle glucose metabolism and data from learning and choice studies. The overall goal of this work is to advance knowledge of prenatal influences on metabolic fluxes and adaptive mechanisms that influence lifestyle choices and metabolic regulation.
Publications
- (2007) Prenatal induction of enhanced metabolic flexibility in skeletal muscle. International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), Perth, Australia
K Huber, JL Miles, NM Thompson, Norman A, Breier B
- (2007) Prenatal undernutrition increases the capacity for exercise. Endocrine Society's 89th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada
JL Miles, NM Thompson, K Huber, B Breier
