Periconceptional Nutrition And The Programming Of Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,879.00
Summary
Mothers who enter pregnancy with a high body mass index are at risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy and of having a large baby who will be at increased risk of developing obesity in childhood and later life. Heavy mothers therefore have heavy babies and these babies go on to become heavy adults. This grant will determine the separate contributions of exposure of the embryo to high nutrition and exposure of the fetus in late gestation to high maternal nutrition.
Investigation Of A New Hypothesis That Increased TGF? Activity In Developing Fetal Organs Predisposes A Women To Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Associated Metabolic Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,015.00
Summary
Have you ever wondered why some people get fat and other do not, no matter how much they eat? The answer could lie in what happened before they were born. This project investigates a new hypothesis that was developed from discoveries on polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with this syndrome are at increased risk of becoming overweight and diabetic. If the hypotheses prove correct it might be possible to reduce the incidence of these metabolic disorders in the longer term.
Does Women's Nutrition During Pregnancy Influence Metabolic Health Of Their Children?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,752.00
Summary
The occurrence of type 2 diabetes is increasing around the world, with the rising incidence among children and adolescents especially worrying. Widespread obesity has clearly contributed to this epidemic, but does not fully explain it. Diabetes develops over many years and obesity appears to exacerbate a pre-existing susceptibility. Our work focuses on understanding and preventing this initial susceptibility. Metabolic changes in the way the body produces and disposes of insulin, and responds to ....The occurrence of type 2 diabetes is increasing around the world, with the rising incidence among children and adolescents especially worrying. Widespread obesity has clearly contributed to this epidemic, but does not fully explain it. Diabetes develops over many years and obesity appears to exacerbate a pre-existing susceptibility. Our work focuses on understanding and preventing this initial susceptibility. Metabolic changes in the way the body produces and disposes of insulin, and responds to glucose, are seen much earlier in individuals who become diabetic. These metabolic defects are thought to be due, in part, to sub-optimal growth and development before birth (affecting the way the pancreas and liver function, for example). Poor nutrition before birth may be an important underlying cause. Animal studies reliably demonstrate that a poor quality diet of the pregnant mother can result in offspring that have impaired glucose tolerance and related metabolic problems. We now need to determine whether this occurs in humans. A limited amount of community-based research suggests this is possible. The balance between carbohydrate and protein in the mother's diet may be a key factor, and possibly the type of carbohydrate (high or low glycaemic). Weight before and during pregnancy could also be influential. We have been following a cohort of 500 children from before birth, through childhood. We collected detailed information on the mothers' diets during pregnancy. In this project, we plan to assess the glucose-insulin metabolism of the children at 8 years of age. We will then investigate whether diet of the mothers during pregnancy affects the metabolism of the children later on. Improving nutrition of pregnant women could lead to life-long improvement in metabolic health of the children. This study will contribute to the evidence-base about whether maternal diet is important, and give specific details about what kinds of changes are needed.Read moreRead less
Birth Weight, Adult Weight And Podocyte Depletion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,252.00
Summary
A major role of our kidneys is to filter our blood. A key cell type in our kidney filters is an octopus-shaped cell known as the podocyte. If we are not born with enough podocytes, or if the filters grow too large after birth due for example to excessive weight gain, the podocytes cannot adequately filter the blood, and this can lead to kidney disease. We will measure podocyte endowment at birth, and assess the effects of weight gain and loss after birth on podocyte features and kidney health.
Disrupted Neurosteroid Synthesis Mediates The Adverse Effects Of Prenatal Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,973.00
Summary
Maternal anxiety and related stress in pregnancy influences the fetus causing developmental changes that adversely affect the offspring leading to behavioural problems in childhood. However, mechanisms which transfer maternal changes to the fetus are unclear. We propose that disruption of the fetal-placental neurosteroid system is a major link. We will identify the deficits in this system caused by maternal stress and then examine therapies to reverse these disruptions.
LIFECYCLE - Early Life Stressors And LifeCycle Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,811.00
Summary
Early in life is a period of time during which we can institute changes that can have long lasting benefits for asthma, obesity, diabetes mellitus and mental and cardiovascular health. The current project, LIFECYCLE is a cooperative project with a combined total of a quarter of a million participants, which will be the definitive study to determine, which early life events should be modified for improving health trajectories throughout life.
Understanding The Contribution Of Sympathetic Overactivity To Maternally Programmed Obesity Related Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,083.00
Summary
Obesity and associated diseases are increasing worldwide. Aside from adult risk factors, the environment encountered during development may predispose to later disease. Our data shows that the diet consumed by pregnant mothers can influence the development of obesity and hypertension in her offspring and that the sympathetic nervous system becomes dysregulated. This project will assess how maternal fat intake in pregnancy affects sympathetic nervous system function in the offspring and we invest ....Obesity and associated diseases are increasing worldwide. Aside from adult risk factors, the environment encountered during development may predispose to later disease. Our data shows that the diet consumed by pregnant mothers can influence the development of obesity and hypertension in her offspring and that the sympathetic nervous system becomes dysregulated. This project will assess how maternal fat intake in pregnancy affects sympathetic nervous system function in the offspring and we investigate possible management strategies.Read moreRead less
Developmental Programming: Mechanisms And Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,501.00
Summary
Disturbances during pregnancy can impact on developmental processes and result in increased risk of disease in later life. This project will examine the impact of perturbations such as maternal stress or alcohol consumption on the development of the placenta and fetal kidney. By gaining an understanding of how these organs are affected by prenatal insults, we are likely to be able to develop more effective intervention strategies to ensure all babies receive a healthy start to life.
Sperm Methylation Status Predicts Embryo And Pregnancy Outcomes In Male Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,411.00
Summary
The incidence of male obesity in reproductively age men is epidemic and continually rising with close to 70% of men of reproductive age classified as overweight or obese. Male obesity is not only associated with sub fertility but also changes to pregnancy outcomes and influencing child health. This project will try to uncover the molecular changes in sperm, providing potential mechanisms for the abnormal foetal and pregnancy health seen as a result of male obesity.
The Role Of Hypoxia In The Developmental Programming Of The Kidney
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,276.00
Summary
We aim to understand how inadequate oxygen supply to the fetus during pregnancy can affect development of the kidney. Many babies do not get enough oxygen whilst developing in the womb. This can be due to a poorly formed placenta or the mother smoking. This can interfere with normal growth and formation of the kidney. Our knowledge may help babies get the best start to life.