Maternal protein intake in the pregnant rat programs the insulin axis and body composition in the offspring

Evidence to support an association between early nutrition and the development of obesity in the rat is equivocal. In this study we have investigated the postnatal growth, glucose tolerance, and adipocyte function of the offspring from pregnant rats fed with diets containing either 20% or 8% protein during gestation. By 25 weeks of age, the female offspring of dams fed with the diet containing 8% protein had a significantly lower adult body weight due in part to a decrease in body fat. The peak concentration of insulin after oral administration of a glucose dose was significantly lower in both the male and female offspring of the dams fed with the diet containing 8% protein. However, the ability of insulin to stimulate lipogenesis or suppress lipolysis in fat cells isolated from the offspring was not influenced by the prenatal diet. Hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was reduced in female offspring of dams fed with the diet containing 8% protein. These results show that adult body composition is determined during the prenatal period as a result of programming of the insulin axis. This metabolic programming influences hepatic metabolism; however, there is no evidence for a programmed change in adipocyte function.