Effects of protein and carbohydrate supplements on fetal and maternal weight and on body composition in food-restricted rats

Abstract

The effects of equal amounts of carbohydrate or protein supplements given from day 15 of gestation after a 50% food restriction for the previous 10 days were studied in the rat. Maternal body weight and composition and fetal and placental weights of supplemented rats were compared with controls, fed ad libitum, and with rats maintained on a 50% food restriction until term. The control group had the highest gain in net maternal body weight followed by the protein supplemented and the carbohydrate supplemented rats. In contrast, the restricted rats had a small loss in body weight. Increments in net body weight in the protein supplemented rats were considerably higher than in carbohydrate-supplemented rats. Similarly, the amount of water and lean dry tissue was also higher in the protein-supplemented rats although both values were still significantly lower than controls. Both types of supplements increased fetal weight equally compared with the restricted group but not to the control levels. Placental weight was higher in the protein supplemented group compared with the carbohydrate supplemented group but placental weight did not reach the control level.