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Updated: May 15, 2026
Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats
Published on: June 27, 2014
Feed restriction during pregnancy/lactation induces programmed changes in lipid, adiponectin and leptin levels with
Sangmi Lee1, Kyung A Lee, Gyu Yeon Choi
1Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
We investigated the effects of fetal undernutrition during pregnancy/lactation on visceral fat, lipid profiles, leptin and adiponectin, and examined the gender differences between males and females.
Study Design:
From 10 d to term gestation and through lactation, control pregnant rats were fed ad libitum (AdLib) food, whereas study rats were 50% food restricted (FR). Cross-fostering techniques were used to examine the effects of FR during pregnancy and lactation periods. Lipid profiles, leptin and adiponectin were determined in offspring at ages 3 weeks and 6 months. We also measured the amount of visceral fat in the offspring.
Results:
The amount of visceral fat in the 6-month-old FR/AdLib offspring was higher than that in the control (p < 0.05). Among the 6-month-old offspring, triglyceride and leptin levels were higher in FR/AdLib offspring than those in the controls (p < 0.05). The female offspring had higher levels of triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and adiponectin and the male offspring had higher levels of LDL cholesterol and leptin.
Conclusion:
Fetal undernutrition only during pregnancy resulted in obese offspring, higher levels of plasma triglyceride and leptin with gender differences.
