EFFECT OF MATERNAL DIETS DURING GESTATION AND LACTATION ON THE GROWTH OF OFFSPRING

Abstract

The effect of four types of maternal diet during gestation and lactation on the growth rate of progeny was investigated. These diets included Commercial Laboratory Chow (PC) and formulated diets with lactalbumin (LA), lactalbumin and 0.05 % methionine (LM), or Alpha protein and 0.35 % methionine (αM). Although similar birth weights were observed among all of these groups, progeny of mother fed ad lib αM-diet evidenced retarded growth after birth compared with the other three groups, among which no significant differences in growth of progeny were noted. However, there were marked differences in food intake in the mothers particularly during the lactation period. Food intake was largest in PC-group and smallest in αM-group, and same between LA and LM. This result reflected the poor growth of progeny and their larger value of food intake per 100g body weight were similar amomg progeny of other three groups. Some aspects in relation to differences in food intake in mothers among these groups are discussed.