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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(1): 40-43
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-19966
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Long-Term Effects of Malnutrition During Lactation on the Thyroid Function of Offspring

M.  C.  F.  Passos 1 , C.  da Fonte Ramos 2 , S.  C.  P.  Dutra 4 , T.  Mouço 3 , E.  G.  de Moura 4
  • 1Department of Applied Nutrition, Nutrition Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro
  • 2Department of Anatomy, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro
  • 3Miguelote Viana Laboratory, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro
  • 4Department of Physiological Sciences, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Further Information

Publication History

8 March 2001

1 June 2001

Publication Date:
14 August 2002 (online)

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Abstract

Some studies have shown that the mother's nutritional condition may influence offspring's endocrine function through metabolic imprinting. Recently, we showed that the kind of maternal malnutrition during lactation affects adult body weight of the offspring and it is related to milk composition. We studied lactating rats fed an 8 % protein-restricted diet (PR), a control 23 % protein diet (C), and an energy-restricted diet group (ER). After weaning, all animals received a normal diet until they were 180 days of age. At this time, the animals received a single i. p. injection of 131I and were sacrificed 2 h after the injection. Total triiodothyronine (TT3) and total thyroxin (TT4) serum concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The PR group had significantly a higher thyroid 131I uptake, TT3 serum concentration and in TT4 serum concentration, compared to the controls. The ER group had only significantly higher TT3 serum concentration. These results showed that thyroid function regulation in adulthood may depend on maternal nutritional condition during lactation. Probably, PR group had a high thyroid function, whereas the ER group only had an increase in the deiodination of T4. The hyperthyroidism in the PR group could explain the low body weight observed in those animals.

Key words

Protein - Energy - Malnutrition - Thyroid - Lactation

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Dr. E. G. de Moura

Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas - 5° andar · Instituto de Biologia-Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Av. 28 de setembro, 87 · Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-030 · Brazil

Phone: + 55 (21) 587 61 34

Fax: + 55 (21) 587 61 29

Email: egmoura@uerj.br

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