Effect of litter size on body and organ weight, blood pressure, adiposity index and glucose levels in adult offspring of dams fed normal or high salt diet during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of litter size reduction at birth on weight and morphofunctional parameters in adulthood. Methods and Results (mean±SD, p<0.05, n=6 to 8/group): Female Wistar rats were fed normal- (NS - 1.3%) or high-salt (HS - 8.0% NaCl) diet from eight weeks of age until offspring weaning (15 weeks of age). Offspring were divided into control (C) and small (S – 8 newborns/litter) groups. All male offspring were fed NS until 12 weeks of age, when body weight (BW, g), tail cuff blood pressure (BP, mmHg), glucose levels (G, mg/dL), left ventricle (LV), white and brown adipose tissue (BAT) masses (g/100g) were determined. Adiposity index (AI) was calculated (% of BW). BW was higher in the S offspring of NS and HS dams (S: NS - 403±15; HS - 416±8) compared to C (C: NS - 291±12; HS - 332±9). BP was not different between S and C from NS dams but was higher in C than in S from HS dams (C - 115±4.3, S - 95±5.1). G were higher in S (NS - 91±2.3 and HS - 109±3.4) than in C (NS - 81±3 and HS - 97±3.6). LV was higher in S (NS - 0.23±0.01 and HS - 0.21±0.01) than in C (NS - 0.19±0.01 and HS - 0.2±0.01). The AI was not different between S and C from NS dams but was higher in S (5±0.2) compared to C (4±0.3) from HS dams. BAT was lower in S (NS - 0.11±0.01 and HS - 0.07±0.01) compared to C (NS 0.25±0.01 and HS 0.13±0.01). Conclusion Litter size reduction at birth alters body weight, left ventricular mass, blood pressure and glucose levels in adult life. Supported by FAPESP