Table 2 Significant results from the untargeted metabolomic screen of liver from male Dex exposed offspring compared to their saline controls. Compounds identified as ** indicate metabolites that reached the two cut-off criteria (p < 0.05 and fold change > 2 or < 0.5) while compounds identified as * indicate metabolites that reach the p < 0.05 criteria only. Upregulations are presented first in descending order while downregulations follow (n = 8).

Vanillin 4-sulfate**

Polyphenol metabolite

L-Carnitine tetradecanoyl ester**

Carnitine with FA attached; beta oxidation of long chain FAs

Lipid metabolism

Alpha-aminoadipic acid**

Intermediate of metabolism of Lys

Lys biosynthesis and degradation

PC(18:1(9Z)/22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z))**

A type of phosphatidylcholine; a glycerophospholipid

Glycerophospholipid/

lipid metabolism

LysoPC(18:3(9Z,12Z,15Z))**

Monoglycerol phospholipid

Phospholipid, lipid and FA metabolism; lipid transport

Eicosapentanoic acid**

Important polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils

Alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid metabolism; lipid metabolism

Uracil**

Pyrimidine nucleobase

Pyrimidine metabolism; beta-Ala metabolism

DL-Carnitine**

Conditionally essential metabolite; transports fat into mitochondria

Thermogenesis; bile secretion; fatty acid metabolism/β-oxidation

Xanthine*

Intermediate of the degradation of AMP to uric acid

Purine metabolism

DL-Tyrosine*

Essential amino acid; more needed under stress; rapidly metabolized

Cathecholamine biosynthesis; Phe and Tyr metabolism

Hypoxanthine*

Purine derivative; present in anticodon of tRNA

Purine metabolism

DL-Tryptophan*

Essential amino acid; precursor for melatonin and serotonin

Transcription/translation