Can physical exercise during gestation attenuate the effects of a maternal perinatal low-protein diet on oxygen consumption in rats?

• Published in: Experimental physiology 2009-08, Vol.94 (8), p.906-913
• Main Authors: Amorim, Marco Fidalgo, Dos Santos, José Antonio, Hirabara, Sandro Massao, Nascimento, Elizabeth, De Souza, Sandra Lopes, De Castro, Raul Manhães, Curi, Rui, Leandro, Carol Góis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Female; Growth; Lactic Acid - blood; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; Physical Conditioning, Animal - physiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - physiology; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0958-0670; 1469-445X
• DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2009.047621

A protocol of physical exercise, based on maximal oxygen uptake , for female rats before and during pregnancy was developed to evaluate the impact of a low-protein diet on oxygen consumption during gestation and growth rate of the offspring. Virgin female Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: untrained (NT, n = 5); trained (T, n = 5); untrained with low-protein diet (NT+LP, n = 5); and trained with low-protein diet (T+LP, n = 5). Trained rats were submitted to a protocol of moderate physical training on a treadmill over a period of 4 weeks (5 days week −1 and 60 min day −1 , at 65% of ). At confirmation of pregnancy, the intensity and duration of the exercise was reduced. Low-protein groups received an 8% casein diet, and their peers received a 17% casein diet. The birth weight and growth rate of the pups up to the 90th day were recorded. Oxygen consumption , CO 2 production and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were determined using an indirect open-circuit calorimeter. Exercise training increased by about 20% when compared with the initial values (45.6 ± 1.0 ml kg −1 min −1 ). During gestation, all groups showed a progressive reduction in the resting values. Dams in the NT+LP group showed lower values of resting than those in the NT group. The growth rate of pups from low-protein-fed mothers was around 50% lower than that of their respective controls. The T group showed an increase in body weight from the 60th day onwards, while the NT+LP group presented a reduced body weight from weaning onwards. In conclusion, physical training attenuated the impact of the low-protein diet on oxygen consumption during gestation and on the growth rate of the offspring.