Metabolic adjustments to moderate maternal nutrient restriction

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 2007-08, Vol.98 (2), p.276-284
• Main Authors: Schlabritz-Loutsevitch, Natalia E., Dudley, Christopher J., Gomez, Jeremiah J., Heath Nevill, C., Smith, Bonnie K., Jenkins, Susan L., McDonald, Thomas J., Bartlett, Thad Q., Nathanielsz, Peter W., Nijland, Mark J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adaptation; animal behavior; Animal Feed; animal models; Animals; Baboons; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Behaviour; Biological and medical sciences; body composition; Body Composition - physiology; Body Mass Index; Body Weight - physiology; Eating - physiology; eating habits; energy balance; energy expenditure; Energy Intake - physiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; females; fetal development; food intake; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestational Age; human physiology; malnutrition; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - physiology; Models, Animal; Motor Activity - physiology; nutrient content; Nutrient restriction; Papio; Papio hamadryas; Physical activity; Pregnancy; pregnancy outcome; restricted feeding; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114507700727

Reduced food availability in pregnancy influences fetal growth, obstetric outcomes and offspring health in both developing and developed countries. The objective of the present study was to determine responses to moderate global maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) during pregnancy in baboons (Papio hamadryas) – an established non-human primate model for pregnancy-related research. Starting at 30 d gestation (dG), twelve pregnant baboons received 70 % of food (MNR group) consumed by twenty ad libitum-fed pregnant controls. Maternal body weight, BMI, food intake and physical activity were measured before pregnancy, at 90 dG and at 165 dG (full-term 180 dG). Fetal and placental weights were recorded at the time of Caesarean section (90 and 165 dG). Activity patterns were also evaluated in fourteen non-pregnant female baboons. Behavioural observations were made in five non-pregnant, six control and four MNR animals. Pregnant baboons decreased overall physical activity and energy-expensive behaviours compared with non-pregnant baboons. In the MNR group, maternal weight, weight gain and maternal physical activity were reduced compared with the control animals. MNR decreased placental weight and volume compared with control, while fetal weight and length were unaffected. We conclude that decreased physical activity and increased usage of maternal available body stores play an important role in the maternal response to pregnancy. Also, adaptations in maternal behaviour and energy utilisation protect fetal growth during moderate MNR.