Comparison of effects of dietary glucose versus fructose during pregnancy on fetal growth and development in rats.
Dietary carbohydrate during pregnancy is essential. Whether this requirement is specific to glucose was investigated. We examined whether fructose at low, intermediate and high levels can substitute for an isoenergetic amount of glucose by feeding graded levels of both carbohydrates (0, 4, 12, 60%) in a triglyceride-based diet throughout pregnancy. It was concluded that the carbohydrate requirement for the rat during pregnancy is not specific to glucose and that the level, not the type, of carbohydrate was critical (experiment 1). A second aspect of the study (experiment 2) was the comparison of isoenergetic, low carbohydrate diets containing different sources of 4% glucose equivalents: glucose, fructose or lipid-glycerol. Fructose and lipid-glycerol were not equivalent substitutes for glucose in the pregnant rat dam at these very low intakes.
Fergusson
M A
MA
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Québec, Canada.
Koski
K G
KG
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005632:Fructose; D005947:Glucose