The father's diet differentially affected the behavior and health of his offspring depending on gender
The ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet of male mice affected male and female calves differently. The effects included metabolic diseases and mood disorders. It is possible that similar may apply to humans, although this question requires further study.
Previous studies have shown that the health of the future child is influenced not only by the health of the parents, but also by the characteristics of their lifestyle. Important are such factors as age, diet, obesity and bad habits. They can increase the risk of many metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as immunological or neurological disorders. At the same time, the condition of the paternal organism is no less significant than that of the maternal.
Researchers from the international consortium GECKO, as well as the Universities of Sydney (Australia), Chicago (USA) and Copenhagen (Denmark) focused on how the father's nutrition before conception affects the health of the future child. They conducted an experiment involving mice and found that different types of diet lead to different effects on male and female offspring. A scientific article about this was published by the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists developed for males 10 types of diet, which differed in the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Females, with which mated participating in the experiment, mice were raised on a standardized balanced diet. The diet of males in all cases was low-calorie, nevertheless they were fed in plenty.
Males whose diets were low in protein and high in carbohydrates were more likely to be born with higher levels of anxiety, as indicated by their behavior in the maze. Daughters of males whose diets were high in fat were more likely to show signs of metabolic disease (metabolic disorders) and high levels of body fat.
The authors of the publication separately noted that males with low-protein diets ate more overall. However, as it was found out, the health of future offspring was affected not only by the number of calories, but also by the composition of the diet.
According to the scientists, their results will further help to develop nutritional recommendations for future fathers. Such instructions should help reduce the risk of metabolic diseases and mood disorders in the next generation.