Effect of Maternal Diet in Rats on Feed Consumption of the Offspring

Abstract

Our previous studies demonstrated that 50% dietary restriction of the female rat during gestation and lactation produced permanently growth-stunted off-spring. It also was found that such stunted rats had less efficient feed utilization than that of normal animals of equal ages. However, since the stunted animals always were smaller than their normal counterparts of equal age with which they were compared, the question remained as to whether the stunted animals had poorer feed utilization simply as a result of their smaller size. In the present study it has been shown that its smaller body size per se does not necessarily bring about less efficient feed utilization by the animal. Stunted animals were compared with younger normal animals of equal body weight and were found to consume more feed either per unit body weight or per (body weight)^0.73. Furthermore, other smaller than normal rats, produced by reducing their milk intake while suckling either by increasing the suckling litter size to 18 foster animals or by using diet-restricted foster dams, had normal feed intakes. These results are interpreted to indicate that maternal dietary restriction during gestation and lactation produces progeny possessing a metabolic derangement which is reflected in poor feed utilization as well as in a reduced growth potential.