title: Metabolic Effects of Access to Sucrose Drink in Female Rats and Transmission of Some Effects to Their Offspring.
abstract: The aims of this study were, first, to examine the metabolic consequences for female rats of having unrestricted access to 10% sucrose solution and, second, to test for effects of this dietary intervention on their offspring. In Stage 1 females were mated following a 4-week period in which one group was given the sucrose in addition to their normal chow and a control group was given chow and water only. Sucrose was removed at parturition and the pups monitored until weaning. Despite the development of glucose intolerance in sucrose-fed mothers, no effects were detected on litter size or pup weights. In Stage 2 voluntary activity of offspring was assessed over postnatal days (PND) 51-60 and their glucose tolerance measured at PND89-94. Again no effect of maternal diet was detected. Only male offspring were used in Stage 3, which began when they were 13 weeks old. Four groups were given 10% sucrose solution for 48 days in a 2 x 2 design, in which one factor was maternal diet and the other was whether they were given 2-h access to an activity wheel on alternate days. Higher fasting glucose levels were found in offspring of sugar-fed mothers. Exercise increased insulin sensitivity in these rats but not in offspring of control mothers. Behavioural measures of memory in Stage 3 did not reveal any effects of maternal diet or exercise. Overall, this study suggested that, while providing 10% sucrose solution ad-libitum was sufficient to impair maternal metabolism, the impact of this dietary manipulation on offspring may be revealed only when the offspring's diet is similarly manipulated.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology (A18), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kendig
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, School of Molecular Bioscience, Building G08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Winda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ekayanti
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Unit, School of Molecular Bioscience, Building G08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Hayden
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology (A18), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Boakes
authors.affiliation: Exercise, Health and Performance, Faculty of Health Sciences (C42), Cumberland Campus, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales 2142, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Kieron
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rooney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D013395:Sucrose