Summary
First-generation rats received either 20% (standard) or 8% (suboptimal) protein nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. Suboptimal protein nutrition led to reduced body weights of the second-generation progeny at day 19 of gestation (10%, p<0.001) and at weaning (33% reduction, p<0.001). Control (born of 20% protein-fed dams) and experimental (born of 8% protein-fed dams) offspring received 20% protein diet after weaning and were studied on day 19 of gestation at 9 to 12 weeks after weaning. Basal glucose turnover was lower (29%, p<0.05) and glucose utilization by fast-twitch muscle, adipose tissue and diaphragm significantly reduced in experimental offspring. Hyperinsulinaemia increased whole-body glucose disposal rate in both control (2.3-fold, p<0.001) and experimental (3.2-fold, p<0.001) offspring. Hyperinsulinaemia normalised the suppression of glucose utilization observed in diaphragm, heart and adipose tissue, but not in fast-twitch muscle, where rates remained 30–40% lower in the experimental offspring. Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion after i. v. glucose were unimpaired in the pregnant experimental offspring. A 27% reduction in basal glucose utilization, without impaired growth, was observed for the third-generation fetuses of the experimental offspring. The results demonstrate that growth retardation evoked by suboptimal protein nutrition during early life leads to decreased basal glucose turnover and glucose utilization by a range of maternal tissues and the fetus during a subsequent pregnancy. It is not, however, associated with any major permanent impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion or insulin action during pregnancy.
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Abbreviations
- ADL:
-
Adductor longus
- BAT:
-
brown adipose tissue
- 2DG:
-
2-deoxyglucose
- EDL:
-
extensor digitorum longus
- GCR:
-
glucose clearance rate
- GIR:
-
glucose infusion rate
- GUI:
-
glucose utilization index
- IAUC:
-
incremental area under curve
- K:
-
rate of glucose disappearance
- NEFA:
-
non-esterified fatty acid
- Ra:
-
endogenous glucose production
- Rd:
-
whole-body glucose disposal rate
- Sol:
-
soleus
- TA:
-
tibialis anterior
- TAG:
-
triacylglycerol
- WAT:
-
white adipose tissue
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Holness, M.J., Sugden, M.C. Suboptimal protein nutrition in early life later influences insulin action in pregnant rats. Diabetologia 39, 12–21 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00400408
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00400408