Small litter size at birth is associated with insulin resistance and low energy expenditure in adulthood

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of litter size standardization at birth on adult metabolic parameters.Methods: Female Wistar rats became pregnant at 12 weeks of age. Offspring were divided into control(C), G8(8) and G4(4 newborns/litter) groups. At 12 weeks of age, food intake (FI,g/day), glucose (G,mg/dL), insulin (I,pM), cholesterol (Chol,mg/dL), triacylglycerols (TAG,mg/dL) levels, white and brown adipose tissue (BAT) masses (g/100g) adiposity index (AI,% body weight) were determined. Conclusion: Results suggest that changes in litter size is associated with energy balance, carbohydrate and lipid disorders, insulin resistance and alterations in blood pressure in adult male and female.