Effect of the physical training of females of the F0 generation on the metabolism and memory of females/males of the F1 and F2 generations.

Maternal lifestyle during critical developmental periods can influence metabolic and cognitive outcomes in subsequent generations. This study investigated whether exposure of F0 female rats to a high-sugar/high-fat diet induces metabolic alterations and memory impairments in the F1 and F2 generations, and whether pre-reproductive physical training could mitigate these effects. Female Wistar rats were assigned to control or hypercaloric diet groups, with or without treadmill training performed before mating. The training protocol consisted of progressive treadmill exercise beginning at 21 days of age and continuing until 120 days of age. Offspring from the F1 and F2 generations did not receive the hypercaloric diet or exercise intervention but were evaluated for adiposity, glycemia, and memory performance. Results demonstrated that maternal physical training exerted protective effects across generations, reducing adiposity and improving glucose metabolism in offspring. In contrast, maternal exposure to the hypercaloric diet was associated with adverse metabolic outcomes and impairments in long-term memory, particularly in the F2 generation. These findings suggest that maternal physical activity prior to reproduction may act as a protective, non-pharmacological strategy to counteract the transgenerational effects of an unhealthy diet.