Weighty issue: Obese women find it harder to become pregnant.Scientists say this may be due to them having fatty ovaries
Saturday
Overweight women struggle to conceive 'because of fatty ovaries'
Weighty issue: Obese women find it harder to become pregnant.Scientists say this may be due to them having fatty ovariesOverweight women trying for a baby may have trouble conceiving because they have fatty ovaries, according to new research. The findings, from a study on cow eggs, support advice to women to avoid being overweight if they want babies. They may help explain why obese women and those with diabetes often struggle to conceive, say researchers. Such potential mothers tend to metabolise more stored fat, leading to higher fatty acid levels in the ovary. The study involved exposing eggs from cows to high concentrations of saturated fatty acids. Researchers discovered that embryos created from the fat-exposed eggs had fewer cells, and underwent changes in gene and metabolic activity. Lead scientist Professor Jo Leroy, from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, said: 'We know from our previous research that high levels of fatty acids can affect the development of eggs in the ovary, but this is the first time we've been able to follow through to show a negative impact on the surviving embryo.' The findings appear in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE. Embryos most likely to produce a successful pregnancy tended to have a 'quieter', less active, metabolism, said the scientists. 'Where eggs were exposed to high levels of fatty acids, the resulting embryos showed increased amino acid metabolism and altered consumption of oxygen, glucose and lactate - all of which indicates impaired metabolic regulation and reduced viability,' said Dr Sturmey. Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum, told Mail Online: 'This research is yet another reminder about the hidden consequences of obesity. 'The fat that you can see on your body is relatively innocuous compared to the damage that internal fat can cause. 'The research suggests that every female of childbearing age should be aware of her need made of her need to stay in shape from her first rubella jab onwards ' The scientists are applying for funding to carry out further studies of human patients.They also want to find out whether exposing eggs to high levels of fatty acids leads to post-birth effects.
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