A moderate swimming exercise regularly performed throughout the life induces age and sex-related modifications in adaptive macronutrients choice.
The ability of laboratory rats to adapt food intake to needs is well-known. The present study investigates changes in this adaptive behavior when animals grow old. A cohort of male and female Lou/c/jall rats was regularly submitted to an exercise throughout their life (6 consecutive days of moderate intensity training (3x15 min/day)). Caloric intake and macronutrients selection during exercise and post-exercise periods were compared to the pre-training period. During swimming, a decrease in both caloric intake and fat selection was observed and an increase in protein intake was specifically seen in female groups. However, males were unable to modify the diet composition (macronutrient rate) from 16 months of age, whereas females were able to do it until 24 months of age. The present results suggest a sex-dependent loss of capacity of adjusting feeding behavior to metabolic needs when animals grow old, may be due to a deterioration of the central control of food intake.
Boghossian
S
S
Neuroendocrinologie du vieillissement, Complexe scientifique des Cezeaux, Université Blaise Pascal, 63 177 cedex, Aubière, France.
Alliot
J
J
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins