Dads’ DNA makes a baby greedy in the womb – while mum’s genes try to stop it from growing, study finds
A DAD’S DNA makes a baby greedy in the womb — while a mum’s genes try to stop it from growing, a study says.
The father’s side forces a mother to release sugar and fat to a foetus while hers focuses on ensuring it is not too large to birth.
This “tug-of-war” centres on insulin-like growth factor 2, or IGF-2 — a protein which reduces the level of nutrients the body absorbs from food.
A dad’s DNA encourages a foetus to produce it, preventing a mum using nutrients, so leaving more for the infant.
Cambridge University experts made the finding in tests on mice.
They switched off male gene IGF-2 and found the mother’s body did not give the foetus enough sugar.
Dr Miguel Constancia said: “Genes controlled by the father are ‘greedy’ and ‘selfish’ and will manipulate maternal resources for foetuses to grow them big and fit.”
Co-author Prof Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri said genes from mums that limit foetal growth are thought to be her way of ensuring her survival.
She said: “It’s so she doesn’t have a baby that takes all the nutrients and is too big and challenging to birth.”