Changes in energy metabolism during the suckling and weaning period in the newborn

In most of the mammals, birth and weaning are two periods of nutritional transitions. Whereas the fetus oxidizes mainly glucose, lactate and aminoacids, the newborn is fed with milk, a high fat, low carbohydrate diet. At weaning, milk is replaced progressively by the adult diet which contains less fat and more carbohydrate. In the hours and days following birth, the newborn adapts itself to the new nutritional environment by increasing its capacity to produce glucose de novo (gluconeogenesis) in order to satisfy its high glucose needs. Oxidation of fatty acids is enhanced in the liver and at the peripheral level. Ketone bodies synthetized from fatty acids in the liver in large amounts are utilized by other tissues and specially the brain where they can met energetic and synthetic needs. In the rat, during the suckling period, lipogenesis is decreased in the liver and in white adipose tissue and triglyceride accretion is minimized. At weaning, these adaptations are reversed: decreased gluconeogenic and oxidative capacity of the liver, decrease of the role of ketone bodies, increase of the lipogenic rate in the liver and the adipose tissue, storage of triglycerides. The nutritional and hormonal factors involved in these metabolic adaptations are numerous but insulin and glucagon might play a major role.