Lipid and protein overload support only partially the pregnancy and lactation of wistar rats feed a low carb diet

This study aimed to determine the effect of a high fat, high protein, low carb diet during pregnancy and lactation of dams and pups of Wistar rats. Female Wistar rats were fed either a control balanced diet (C) or a Low-carb, hyperproteic and hyperlipidic diet (E) during pregnancy and/or lactation period and the number, weight, adipose tissue and blod glucose from both dams (d) and pups (p) were analyzed. Diet E caused smaller litters and lean pups, without effect on dam’s weight gain. Also, Diet E did not affect survival, mortality or cannibalism during lactation, but the pEE group (pups with diet E during both pregnancy and lactation) weighed more than the CC group (pups with diet C during pregnancy and lactation). No glucose alteration was observed in pups regardless of the diet consumed by the mothers. The dEE group, however, presented higher blood glucose and hepatic steatosis than the CC group. Finally, dams from the E group showed higher glycemia at the end of lactation. We concluded that protein and fat overload could only partially compensate for the lack of carbohydrates in the maternal diet.