Published in:
01-08-2015 | Original Contribution
Short- and long-term effects of a maternal low-energy diet ad libitum during gestation and/or lactation on physiological parameters of mothers and male offspring
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 5/2015
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Purpose
To investigate the short- and long-term effects of a maternal low-energy diet ad libitum during gestation and/or lactation on mothers and their offspring.
Methods
Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups according to their mother’s diet: control [C (19.0 % protein, 63.0 % carbohydrates and 18.0 % lipids, total energetic value (TEV) = 3.5 kcal/g) during gestation and lactation], low-energy diet (18 % protein, 64 % carbohydrates and 18 % lipids, TEV = 2.3 kcal/g) during gestation (LE-G), low-energy diet during lactation (LE-L) and low-energy diet during gestation and lactation (LE-GL). Additional crude fibers (10 % more purified cellulose and soluble fiber) and water (approximately 30 % greater moisture) were added to the LE diet to decrease TEV. Mother’s body weight, food intake and energy intake were recorded daily. Birth weight, growth rate, ontogeny of reflexes, physical features and biochemical parameters at 150 days old were evaluated in male offspring.
Results
Maternal low-energy diet during gestation did not affect maternal body weight and food intake. Physical features did not change but reflex ontogeny was delayed in pups from LE dams. LE-G offspring recovered body size (weight and length) while animals LE-L and LE-GL recovered their body length but remained lighter until adult life even with no change of food intake. LE-G and LE-GL showed lower plasma triglycerides and very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL). LE-L offspring showed hypertriglyceridemia, high VLDL-c and reduced glycaemia.
Conclusion
Maternal low-energy diet shows discernible short- and long-term effects on offspring, and this is dependent on the time of perinatal period.