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Horm Metab Res 2020; 52(01): 58-66
DOI: 10.1055/a-0966-8784
Endocrine Research
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Body Adiposity and Endocrine Profile of Female Wistar Rats of Distinct Ages that were Early Weaned

Carla Bruna Pietrobon‡
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Iala Milene Bertasso‡
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Beatrix S. Silva
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Nayara Peixoto-Silva
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Elaine Oliveira
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Egberto Gaspar Moura
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Patricia Cristina Lisboa
1   Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
› Author Affiliations Funding This research received financial support from National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), State of Rio de Janeiro Carlos Chagas Filho Research Foundation (FAPERJ), and Coordination for the Enhancement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
Further Information

Publication History

received 03 December 2018

accepted 25 June 2019

Publication Date:
19 September 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Early weaning (EW) is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Male rats that were precociously weaned present neonatal malnutrition and, in adulthood, developed overweight, accumulation of body fat, dyslipidemia, changes in glycemic homeostasis, hyperleptinemia, and increase of vitamin D. As metabolic profile of early-weaned females is not known, we investigated the endocrine-metabolic parameters in adolescence and adult female rats of 2 different EW models. Wistar lactating rats and pups from both sexes were separated into 3 groups: non-pharmacological EW (NPEW), dams were involved with a bandage interrupting suckling in the last 3 days of lactation; pharmacological EW (PEW), dams were bromocriptine-treated (0.5 mg/twice a day via intraperitoneal injection) for 3 days before weaning; and control, dams whose pups ate milk throughout lactation. At 21 days-old, NPEW and PEW females had lower body weight. At 180 days-old, NPEW and PEW females showed higher feed efficiency, weight gain, body fat percentage, and greater accumulation of gonadal and retroperitoneal fat depots associated with adipocyte hypertrophy. NPEW females also showed hyperphagia. Only NPEW females presented hyperleptinemia. Plasma thyroid hormones and vitamin D were unchanged among EW females. Regarding sex hormones, at 45 days-old, no change was found in EW females, while at 180 days-old, PEW females had hypoestrogenemia. EW increases the risk for obesity in female rats in adulthood, as already demonstrated for males, although through distinct mechanisms involving some hormones.

Key words

developmental plasticity - fat mass - leptin - vitamin D - thyroid hormones
 

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