How maternal obesity impairs fetal brown adipogenesis

 The mechanisms behind inhibition of brown adipose tissue (BAT) formation in fetuses from maternal obesity is not clear.

The researchers demonstrate that maternal obesity impairs fetal brown adipogenesis by attenuating fetal FGF21 signaling.

The authors show that maternal FGF21, significantly increased during late gestation, was the primary source of fetal FGF21 but in obese mothers show reduced placental transfer resulting in lower fetal FGF21.

Meanwhile, postnatal FGF21 supplementation could counteract the adverse effects of maternal obesity on fetal BAT development.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00706-5

https://sciencemission.com/Maternal-obesity-impairs-fetal-brown-adipogenesis