What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim was to investigate how maternal undernutrition during late gestation affects fetal muscle growth, metabolism, and gene regulation in sheep.

March 29, 2026Food Science & NutritionOpen Access

Maternal Undernutrition Alters Fetal Muscle Growth, Metabolism, and Transcriptomic Regulation in Intrauterine Growth Restricted Sheep

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Shows undernutrition affects muscle growth in fetuses, indicating potential metabolic risks.

The aim was to investigate how maternal undernutrition during late gestation affects fetal muscle growth, metabolism, and gene regulation in sheep.
Utilized a sheep model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with controlled maternal nutrition.
Divided the subjects into control and undernutrition groups with varying food energy levels.
Conducted transcriptomic analysis to assess gene regulation and metabolic pathways.
Maternal undernutrition reduced muscle weight, protein, and fat in fetuses.
Altered muscle fiber composition with upregulated myogenic regulators and changes in metabolism.
Observed mitochondrial dysfunction and increased expression of stress-related genes in the undernutrition group.

Qiao et al. (2026) studied this question.

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