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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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted for the technical assistance of Lucia Pires and Edeones França. This research was supported by the Foundation for Support of Science and Research in Pernambuco State—Brazil (FACEPE) and the National Council for Research—Brazil (CNPq, 476841/2010-0). The authors’ contributions are as follows: M.C.A.-L., E.N. and C.G.L. performed the study design. L.L.A., N.G.V.-T., E.M.S.-S, T.C.F. and G.S. performed the experiments and data collection. M.C.A.-L. and C.G.L. performed statistical analyses and interpretation of the data. M.C.A.-L. and C.G.L. wrote the manuscript. M.C.A.-L., E.N. and C.G.L. were responsible for critical revisions to the manuscript, and all authors approved the final version. The authors are not aware of any conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, 50670-901, Brazil

    Maria Cláudia Alheiros-Lira, Luciana Lima Araújo, Natália Giovana Viana Trindade, Erika Maria Santos da Silva, Taisy Cinthia Ferro Cavalcante, Gisélia de Santana Muniz & Elizabeth Nascimento

  2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Rua Alto do Reservatório, s/n, Bela Vista, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, 55608-680, Brazil

    Carol Góis Leandro

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  1. Maria Cláudia Alheiros-Lira
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Alheiros-Lira, M.C., Araújo, L.L., Trindade, N.G.V. et al. 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. Eur J Nutr 54, 793–802 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0758-0

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