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Effects of maternal separation on the dietary preference and behavioral satiety sequence in rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2014

M. C. da Silva ,
J. A. de Souza ,
L. O. dos Santos ,
I. L. Pinheiro ,
T. K. F. Borba ,
A. A. M. da Silva ,
R. M. de Castro  and
S. L. de Souza
M. C. da Silva*
Affiliation:
Academic Center of Victoria, University of Pernambuco, Vitoria de Santo Antao, Pernambuco, Brazil
J. A. de Souza
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
L. O. dos Santos
Affiliation:
Academic Center of Victoria, University of Pernambuco, Vitoria de Santo Antao, Pernambuco, Brazil
I. L. Pinheiro
Affiliation:
Nutrition Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
T. K. F. Borba
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
A. A. M. da Silva
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
R. M. de Castro
Affiliation:
Nutrition Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
S. L. de Souza
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
*
*Address for correspondence: M. C. da Silva, Academic Victory Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua do Alto reservoir S/N-Bela Vista Cep: 50608-680, Vitoria de Santo Antao, Pernambuco-Brazil. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of maternal separation on the feeding behavior of rats. A maternal separation model was used on postnatal day 1 (PND1), forming the following groups: in the maternal separation (MS) group, pups were separated from their mothers each day from PND1 to PND14, whereas in the control (C) group pups were kept with their mothers. Subgroups were formed to study the effects of light and darkness: control with dark and light exposure, female and male (CF and CM), and maternal separation with dark and light exposure, female and male (SDF, SDM, SLF and SLM). Female rats had higher caloric intake relative to body weight compared with male controls in the dark period only (CF=23.3±0.5 v. CM=18.2±0.7, P<0.001). Macronutrient feeding preferences were observed, with male rats exhibiting higher caloric intake from a protein diet as compared with female rats (CF=4.1±0.7, n=8 v. CM=7.0±0.5, n=8, P<0.05) and satiety development was not interrupted. Female rats had a higher adrenal weight as compared with male rats independently of experimental groups and exhibited a higher concentration of serum triglycerides (n=8, P<0.001). The study indicates possible phenotypic adjustments in the structure of feeding behavior promoted by maternal separation, especially in the dark cycle. The dissociation between the mother’s presence and milk intake probably induces adjustments in feeding behavior during adulthood.

Keywords

feeding behaviormaternal separationmacronutrient feeding preferences
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , June 2014 , pp. 219 - 228
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2014 

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