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Preweaning diet programs postweaning plasma thyroxine concentrations in baboons
G E Mott1, D S Lewis, E M Jackson
1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7750, USA.
Summary
Infant baboons breast-fed as infants had higher thyroxine (T4) levels and altered T3/T4 ratios compared to formula-fed baboons, suggesting a link to long-term cholesterol metabolism differences.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding and formula feeding, can influence long-term health outcomes.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, including lipid and cholesterol metabolism.
- Understanding the impact of early diet on thyroid hormone homeostasis is essential for assessing lifelong health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of infant baboon diet (breast milk vs. formula) on plasma thyroid hormone concentrations.
- To determine if differences in postweaning thyroid hormone levels are associated with long-term alterations in lipoprotein concentrations and cholesterol metabolism.
- To examine the influence of infant formula composition (P/S ratio, cholesterol) on these outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Newborn baboons were assigned to breast-feeding or formula-feeding groups (varying P/S ratios).
- All baboons were weaned to a high-cholesterol, high-saturated fat diet.
- Plasma thyroid hormone concentrations (T4, T3, fT3) were measured longitudinally up to 400 weeks of age.
- Lipoprotein concentrations and cholesterol metabolism markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- Breast-fed baboons exhibited significantly higher thyroxine (T4) concentrations from 34 to 400 weeks compared to formula-fed baboons.
- Breast-fed baboons showed lower T3/T4 ratios from 70 to 400 weeks.
- Postweaning thyroid hormone levels were not significantly affected by the P/S ratio or cholesterol content of infant formulas.
- Thyroxine (T4) concentrations were significantly correlated with T3 concentrations, bile acid synthesis, acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase activity, and plasma HDL1-C levels.
Conclusions:
- Early life feeding practices, specifically breast-feeding versus formula-feeding, have lasting effects on thyroid hormone homeostasis in baboons.
- Altered thyroid hormone profiles in breast-fed baboons may partially mediate long-term differences observed in cholesterol metabolism.
- These findings highlight the potential role of thyroid hormone regulation in mediating the long-term metabolic consequences of infant diet.