Maternal training during lactation modifies breast milk fatty acid composition and male offspring glucose homeostasis in rat

Abstract

The perinatal exposome can modify offspring metabolism and health later in life. Within this concept, maternal exercise during gestation has been reported modifying offspring glucose sensing and homeostasis, while the impact of such exercise during lactation is little-known. We thus aimed at evaluating short- and long-term effects of it on offspring pancreatic function, assuming a link with changes in breast milk composition. Fifteen-week-old primiparous female Wistar rats exercised during lactation at a constant submaximal intensity (TR) or remained sedentary (CT). Male offspring were studied at weaning and at 7 months of age for growth, pancreas weight, glycemia and insulin responses. Milk protein content was determined by the bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA colorimetric method), and lipid content and fatty acid composition by gas chromatography. Mature milk from TR rats contained significantly less saturated (−7 %) and more monounsaturated (+18 %) and polyunsaturated (PUFA +12 %) fatty acids compared to CT rats, with no difference in total lipid and protein concentrations. In offspring from TR vs CT mothers, fasting glycemia was lower, pancreas weight was higher with a lower insulin content (−37 %) at weaning. Such outcomes were correlated with milk PUFA levels and indices of desaturase or elongase activities. These effects were no longer present at 7 months, whereas a more efficient muscle insulin sensitivity was observed. Maternal training during lactation led to a specific milk phenotype that was associated with a short-term impact on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic function of the male offspring.