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.
GettyGrowing babies get hungry due to their dad’s DNA, while the mum’s genes try to stop the infant from growing too big[/caption]
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.”