Inherited 'memory' of poor nutrition during pregnancy passed through sperm of male offspring
Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 20:30
in Health & Medicine
When a pregnant mother is undernourished, her child is at a greater risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, in part due to so-called 'epigenetic' effects. A new study in mice demonstrates that this 'memory' of nutrition during pregnancy can be passed through sperm of male offspring to the next generation, increasing risk of disease for her grandchildren as well -- but raises questions over how long such effects will continue to have an impact.