Biomaterial Database

Self-selection of protein during pregnancy and lactation in rats. 1989

L R Cohen, and B C Woodside

Psychology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Protein self-selection was investigated in female rats throughout pregnancy and lactation. In the first experiment, impregnated rats were presented with either a choice between low and high protein (casein) diets, or standard lab chow and their protein intake was compared to that of non-impregnated controls. Impregnated females showed an increase in both absolute and relative protein intake at the end of pregnancy and during the second week of lactation when compared to both their own baseline intake and that of non-impregnated rats. In the second experiment, lactating rats and non-lactating controls were presented with a choice between low and high protein (casein) diets, a high protein (soybean meal) and a high carbohydrate diet, or lab chow. Lactating rats consumed more protein than non-lactating rats regardless of diet condition, but percentage protein intake was found to differ across diet choice conditions. Differences in diet fraction choice are discussed in terms of protein: carbohydrate ratios, and how different sources of protein might be utilized differently within the body.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007774	Lactation	The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN.	Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011270	Pregnancy, Animal	The process of bearing developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero in non-human mammals, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Animal Pregnancies,Animal Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Animal
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002149	Energy Intake	Total number of calories taken in daily whether ingested or by parenteral routes.	Caloric Intake,Calorie Intake,Intake, Calorie,Intake, Energy
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets
D004044	Dietary Proteins	Proteins obtained from foods. They are the main source of the ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS.	Proteins, Dietary,Dietary Protein,Protein, Dietary
D004435	Eating	The consumption of edible substances.	Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D005260	Female		Females
D005518	Food Preferences	The selection of one food over another.	Food Selection,Food Preference,Food Selections,Preference, Food,Preferences, Food,Selection, Food,Selections, Food