Large litter size increases maternal energy intake but has no effect on UCP1 content and serum-leptin concentrations in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii).
Lactation is the most energetically demanding period in the female mammal's life. We measured maternal energy intake, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT), serum-leptin concentration, and litter growth in lactating Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) with different litter sizes. Litter mass was positively related to litter size but there was no difference in pup mass at birth. Maternal gross energy intake at peak lactation was positively correlated with litter size and litter mass. Maternal resting metabolic rate (RMR) was positively correlated with litter mass, but not with litter size. No significant differences were detected in body-fat mass, serum-leptin concentration, or UCP1 in lactating voles with different litter sizes. Serum-leptin concentration was negatively correlated with energy intake during lactation. Our data did not support the hypothesis that there is a trade-off in energy allocation between maternal maintenance and offspring growth in lactating Brandt's voles, but support the idea that if the mothers with ten pups should have less energy available for their maintenance than mothers raising fewer pups. Also, leptin is probably not the only factor that induces the high energy intake in mothers with large litter sizes, although it was involved in the regulation of energy intake during lactation.
Zhang
Xue-Ying
XY
State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Lu, Chaoyang, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China.
Li
Yu-Lian
YL
Wang
De-Hua
DH
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D003411:Arvicolinae; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008098:Litter Size / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1
D007473:Ion Channels; D020738:Leptin; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1