Protein concentration in the rat maternal diet programs appetite
and glucose metabolism in the offspring
M.P.G. BARNETT, P.M. HARRIS AND G.J.S. COOPER
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland,
Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
E-Mail:
NZSAP 2003 Abstract No. 12
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production
63: 45-48
The effect of dietary protein concentration throughout gestation
and lactation on maternal appetite, and appetite and glucose metabolism
of the offspring, was investigated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed
diets containing either 20% whey protein (control; C, n=20) or 5% whey
protein (low-protein; LP, n=30) through gestation and lactation. LP
mothers gained less weight during gestation (88 vs. 136 g,
SED=18, P<0.01), and consumed less food during lactation (451
vs. 902 g, SED=77, P<0.001). C offspring were heavier at birth
(6.5 vs. 5.3 g, SED=0.5, P<0.05), consumed more food (273
vs. 178 g, SED=15, P<0.05), and gained weight more rapidly
(5.9 vs. 3.7 g/day, SED=0.4, P<0.001) than LP offspring. LP
offspring had lower fasted blood glucose at 40 (2.2 vs. 3.5
mmol/L, SED=0.4, P<0.01) and 50 (2.9 vs. 4.8 mmol/L, SED=0.2,
P<0.001) days of age and were more sensitive (P<0.001) in response
to a glucose challenge at 30 (498 vs. 615 mmol/L min, SED=24), 40
(557 vs. 700 mmol/L min, SED=24) and 50 (535 vs. 781
mmol/L min, SED=44) days of age. These results show that maternal
dietary protein concentration during gestation and lactation programs
appetite and glucose metabolism in the offspring.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
protein; programming; appetite; glucose tolerance; rat
Last Updated 8/07/2004
