The effects of maternal
fructose intake on offspring health remain largely unknown, despite the marked increase in consumption of sweetened beverages that has paralleled the
obesity epidemic. The present study investigated the impact of maternal
fructose intake on placental, fetal, and neonatal development. Female Wistar rats were time-mated and allocated to receive either water [control (CONT)] or
fructose solution designed to provide 20% of caloric intake from
fructose (FR). FR was administered from d 1 of pregnancy until postnatal day (P) 10. All dams had ad libitum access to standard laboratory chow and water. Dams and offspring were killed at embryonic day (E) 21 and P10. FR dams demonstrated increased total caloric intake and maternal
hyperinsulinemia at E21 as well as increased maternal plasma
fructose levels at E21 and P10. FR intake did not alter maternal
blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), or
electrolyte levels at either time point.
Fetal weights at E21 were unchanged, although placental weights were reduced in FR female but not FR male fetuses. Plasma
leptin,
fructose, and
blood glucose levels were increased and BHB levels decreased in FR female but not male fetuses. Plasma
insulin levels were not different between CONT and FR groups. Male and female FR neonates had higher plasma
fructose levels and were hypoinsulinemic but euglycemic at P10 compared with CONT. Blood BHB levels were increased in FR male neonates but not females at P10. P10 plasma
leptin levels were not different between groups. Stomach content
leptin levels were increased in all FR offspring at P10, but no differences in stomach content
insulin or
fructose levels were observed. This study reports for the first time that maternal FR intake resulted in sex-specific changes in offspring development, whereby females appear more vulnerable to metabolic compromise during neonatal life. Independent follow-up studies are essential to investigate the long-term consequences of maternal FR consumption on offspring health.