Sperm pass down Dad’s obesity

University of Adelaide research, published in The FASEB Journal, has shown that the sperm of obese fathers could increase the risk of both their children and their grandchildren inheriting obesity.

Conducting laboratory studies with mice, researchers from the university’s Robinson Institute found that molecular signals in the sperm of obese fathers can lead to obesity- and diabetes-like symptoms in two generations of offspring, even if the offspring are eating healthily.

“A father’s diet changes the molecular make-up of the sperm,” explained lead author Dr Tod Fullston. “With obese fathers, the changes in their sperm - in their microRNA molecules - might program the embryo for obesity or metabolic disease later in life.

“For female offspring, there is an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. What we’ve also found is that there is an increased chance of both male and female offspring developing metabolic disease similar to type 2 diabetes.”

The study also extended into the second generation of progeny, which showed signs of similar metabolic disorders, including obesity, although it was not as severe as the first generation. Dr Fullston added that even if the obese father didn’t show any signs of diabetes, metabolic disease similar to diabetes was being seen in two generations of descendants.

“This is the first report of both male and female offspring inheriting a metabolic disease due to their father’s obesity,” noted Dr Fullston.

It shows that the father’s health during conception and pregnancy - often overlooked - could be just as important as the mother’s, and measures such as a change in the father’s diet and exercise “could have a positive impact on his future children and grandchildren”, said Dr Fullston.