Maternal weight affects placental DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic pathways in the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulation of placental DNA methylation (DNAm) is a mechanism linking maternal weight during pregnancy to metabolic programming outcomes. The common marmoset, Callithrix jaccus, is a platyrrhine primate species that has provided much insight into studies of the primate placenta, maternal condition, and metabolic programming, yet the relationships between maternal weight and placental DNAm are unknown. Here, we report genome‐wide DNAm from term marmoset placentas using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. We identified 74 genes whose DNAm pattern is associated with maternal weight during gestation. These genes are predominantly involved in energy metabolism and homeostasis, including the regulation of glycolytic and lipid metabolic processes pathways.

Maternal obesity: new placental paradigms unfolded

“…Obesity during pregnancy also contributes to metabolic dysregulation in the placenta. Recent bioinformatic techniques such as genome-wide transcriptome analysis, proteomics, and epigenetics have shed light onto the effects of maternal obesity on placental lipid metabolism [15][16][17][18]. Investigations show altered lipid transport mechanisms into and out of the obese placenta, such as changes in the expression of the fatty acid transporters fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) and FATP4, with adverse consequences for placental function and maternal and fetal metabolism [19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

The shingled girl: Catherine Janet Hill and her contributions to embryology

“…Finally, in 1966, she was able to inform the Director of the Hubrecht Laboratory, Pieter Nieuwkoop (1917Nieuwkoop ( -1996 that the collection was ready to be sent (Richardson & Narraway, 1999). As an indication of its size, the consignment comprised 50 crates, 17 cartons and six metal cabinets (Morison, 1997).…”

“…Despite these success stories, it was not easy for women to make their way in what was still a patriarchal society. Ruth Deanesly (1901-1997, a reproductive biologist who married A. S. Parkes, made this clear in her review of a book on patriarchal attitudes (Deanesly, 1971;Figes, 1970). She emphasised the role of social conditioning and the expectation that women would marry and raise a family.…”

“…Hill's manuscript and the published review give a detailed description of the two blastocysts including the early differentiation of the extraembryonic mesoderm (Figure 4b). Twinning in marmosets remains an important model in reproductive biology (Narapareddy et al, 2020; Rutherford & Tardif, 2009).…”

“…A year later, the situation was exacerbated by the outbreak of World War II. Initially, he found refuge at the Royal College of Surgeons, but their premisses were bombed and the collection was then split with some at UCL, some at his Finchley home and yet more in storage at the Rothschild Museum in Tring (now part of the Natural History Museum)(Morison, 1997).…”