Effects of maternal western-style diet on amniotic fluid volume and amnion VEGF profiles in a nonhuman primate model

Abstract

During pregnancy, high fat diet (HFD) induces maternal obesity, insulin resistance, and placental inflammatory responses that compromise placental and fetal development. Whether maternal HFD would adversely affect amniotic fluid volume (AFV) has not been explored. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in the amnion and has been proposed as a regulator of AFV. Our aim was to investigate the effects of HFD on AFV and the associated changes in VEGF and soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt‐1) expression profiles in three amnion regions of a nonhuman primate model. Further, we examined the relationships between VEGF expression and HFD‐induced changes in maternal metabolic status. Japanese macaques were maintained on control or HFD and amniotic fluid index (AFI) was measured as an ultrasonic estimate of AFV. Amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations were determined by ELISA and amnion VEGF and sFlt‐1 mRNA levels by real‐time RT‐qPCR. HFD increased maternal plasma triglyceride while glucose levels were unchanged. Maternal weight gain was found in diet‐sensitive animals whereas amniotic fluid VEGF concentration was reduced in diet‐resistant animals. HFD did not alter AFI and there was no correlation between AFI and maternal weight or amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations. VEGF mRNA levels were lowest in secondary placental amnion while sFlt‐1 mRNA were lowest in the primary placental amnion. HFD did not affect amnion VEGF or sFlt‐1 mRNA expression. These findings suggest that although maternal HFD increased maternal weight in diet‐sensitive and reduced amniotic fluid VEGF concentrations in diet‐resistant phenotype, AFV as indicated by the AFI, was not significantly affected.

Canine amniotic fluid at birth: From a discarded sample to a potential diagnostic of neonatal maturity

“…To date, no literature exists supporting this hypothesis. Only a few studies on diet and metabolic status suggested such an association (Koski and Fergusson, 1992;Cheung et al, 2018).…”

Short-term Western-style diet negatively impacts reproductive outcomes in primates

“…Overall weight gain ( Figure 1B ) significantly increased ( P < 0.05) as early as 4 months after WSD consumption, which was retained 6–8 months later. When the weight of each female was analyzed separately, 2 animals appeared to be resistant to weight gain ( Figure 1C ), which is typical of nonhuman primate diet studies ( 25 ). Similar to weight gain, percent body fat ( Figure 2A ) showed a statistically significant ( P < 0.05) increase as early as 4 months after WSD consumption and was maintained 6–8 months later.…”

Amniotic fluid metabolic fingerprinting indicated metabolites which may play a role in the pathogenesis of foetal Down syndrome — a preliminary report

“…Observed interracial differences may not only have a genetic background, but also could be the result of specific maternal and dietary habits as well as environmental factors. A Western-style diet, based on processed food, impacts both the foetus (amniotic fluid volume and composition [21]) and the mother (gut microbiota composition [22]). A high-fat diet promotes excessive weight gain or can even induce maternal obesity, which may result in hypertension or preterm delivery [21].…”