Glucose tolerance is affected by gender, but not neonatal nutrition in Yucatan miniature pigs

Abstract

Epidemiological studies show an association between low birth weight and the development of glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The effect of neonatal nutrition on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity was investigated in Yucatan mini‐pigs. Runt (R) (<800g) and large (L) (>1100g) littermates were fed ad lib milk replacer from 3 to 31 d of age; a sow‐fed littermate (SF) (>1000g) remained with the sow (N=6 per group, gender‐balanced). At 4 wk, R, L and SF piglets were housed together and were fed ad lib a high fat, high sugar, high salt diet for 5 h per d. At ~11 mo, pigs were implanted with venous catheters. After ~6 d recovery, pigs underwent intravenous glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests (IST). Compared to male pigs, female pigs were less glucose tolerant, as measured by higher glucose area under the curve (AUC) (p=0.014), and peak glucose concentration (p=0.008). Fasting insulin (p=0.016), peak insulin (p=0.011) and insulin AUC (p=0.014) were also higher in females. The rate of insulin‐stimulated glucose clearance during the IST did not differ. No effect of prenatal nutrition (R vs. L), or postnatal nutrition (L vs. SF) was seen on any of the parameters measured. Since fasting glucose was not elevated, and glucose concentration was normal post‐tests, gender effects are likely due to hormone or body composition differences, not the development of T2D.