PERINATAL PROTEIN RESTRICTION: EFFECTS ON BODY WEIGHT, GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND INSULIN SENSITIVITY IN MALE RATS' OFFSPRING

Background: Pregnancy and fetal development are periods of rapid growth and cell differentiation when mother and offspring are vulnerable to changes. Adverse events during development can be linked to an increased risk in developing metabolic diseases. Here we investigated if perinatal protein restriction could predispose the offspring to altered food intake, weight gain and glucose control. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) were used. They were fed either a control diet (PRC) containing 20% protein or protein-restricted diet (PRR) with 8% protein. The dams were given PRR up to parturition (in-utero group), or from birth to post-natal day 21 (lactation group) or for a period covering both groups (combined group). Control dams with PRC diet was run in parallel for comparison. Feed intake was determined daily and body weight measured at weekly intervals. At 7-8 weeks of age, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were assessed in the offspring. Results: At birth, protein-restricted offspring weighed significantly lower than protein-control offspring, (p<0.05). Body weight at weaning (postnatal day 21) and postnatal day 49, was significantly higher in protein control offspring than offspring exposed to protein restricted diets in-utero, and both in-utero and lactation, (p