Increased fat and simple carbohydrate consumption results in obese prepubertal pigs without an increase in body weight

Abstract

The objective was to determine how carbohydrate (CHO) source affects body adiposity, intravenous glucose tolerance (IVGT) and insulin levels in female prepubertal pigs. Pigs (28‐d‐old) were used in an 8‐wk trial. Diets were Control or high‐fat (HF), which was further divided into containing complex (Corn) or simple CHO (SC, Glucose or Fructose). Control pigs were pair‐fed to HF pigs resulting in similar weight gain and final body weight across treatments (P=0.81). Compared to Controls, metabolizable energy intakes were higher for HF (37%, P<0.001) and SC (14%, P<0.03) diets. Plasma cholesterol was higher (P<0.02) in pigs fed Corn and Fructose compared to those fed Glucose or Control diets. Ultrasound backfat depth, an indicator of body adiposity, was 84% higher (P<0.001) in HF, and SC tended to increase fat (P=0.11). HF intake increased (P<0.001) fasting blood glucose levels but lowered insulin, HOMA‐B, and HOMA‐IR (P<0.01). SC intake tended to reduce (P=0.08) fasting insulin and lowered HOMA‐B and HOMA‐IR (P<0.05). Glucose area under the curve (AUC) was higher (P<0.05) in HF and SC pigs compared to Control, but insulin AUC was not different (P=0.14) across all treatment combinations. No differences between Glucose and Fructose were found for any measured parameter. Consumption of SC increases body adiposity and alters glucose homeostasis without changes in weight gain.Grant Funding Source : College of Agriculture and Life Sciences