Dehydroepiandrosterone and macronutrient selection by obese Zucker rats (fa/fa)

The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the macronutrient preference and total energy intake of lean and obese female Zucker rats was studied. Introduction of DHEA led to a rapid decrease in the consumption of fat, protein and total calories by the obese rat. DHEA treatment of the lean rat caused a change neither in its total energy consumption nor in its fat consumption, but did cause a distinct expression of preference for carbohydrate over protein. Both lean and obese animals gained weight rapidly during the steroid-free weeks and lost weight while consuming the DHEA-supplemented diet. The difference in weight changes seen with the obese rats between the DHEA-free and DHEA-supplemented periods could be accounted for by differences in caloric intake. Lean rats, however, did not change their total energy intake during DHEA-treatment periods; therefore, DHEA caused weight loss in the lean rat probably by altering energy metabolism. It is concluded that in the obese, young, female Zucker rat, DHEA alters macronutrient preference as well as caloric intake. In the lean rat, DHEA has a more subtle effect on relative macronutrient preference and not on total energy consumption.