Epigenetics and Nutrition: Molecular Mechanisms and Tissue Adaptation in Developmental Programming

Biological mechanisms regulating normal growth, development, and nutrient utilization are programmed in utero for postnatal growth and adult function. An increasing body of evidence shows that epigenetic mechanisms drive developmental programming. Among the factors that underlie developmental programming, most studies have focused on maternal nutrition during critical developmental windows. Critical periods include the time surrounding conception, placentation, and organogenesis. Imbalances of key nutrients or other environmental factors can potentially leave epigenetic marks in the genome that can be carried forward through subsequent developmental stages and likely across generations. In this chapter, we address the complex interplay between nutrition, epigenomics, and physiological response to explore the impact of parental nutrition during the periconceptual period and throughout gestation on fetal organ development and metabolism. We will primarily focus on the development of both the hepatic and muscular systems of livestock species; however, relevant findings from human and animal models will also be integrated. The complex and intricate relationships among nutrition, epigenetics, and developmental programming warrant further exploration to fully dissect its mechanisms and implications.