Caloric restriction and cafeteria diets alter the nutritional parameters of dams Wistar rats differently during the lactational period

Purpose The purpose of this study is to nutritionally evaluate dams exposed to caloric restriction or cafeteria diets during the lactation period. Design/methodology/approach Twenty-four female Wistar rats ( n = 8/group) and their respective litters received during lactation: Control (CTRL) – received standard chow; Caloric restriction (CR) – received 50% of the ratio of the CTRL group; Cafeteria diet (CAF) – received cafeteria diet. Weighing of the mother rats and their respective litters occurred weekly and the diets were daily. At weaning, levels of glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides were evaluated. Abdominal adipose tissue was removed and weighed. Liver tissue was removed to determine the lipid profile. Findings CR dams showed lower food ( p < 0.01), caloric ( p < 0.01) and all macronutrients ( p < 0.01) intake. This group also observed intense weight loss ( p < 0.01), in addition to low litter weight ( p < 0.01). CAF dams had higher caloric intake ( p < 0.05) and increased consumption of lipids ( p < 0.01). The CAF group also reported greater accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue ( p = 0.01), elevated levels of LDL ( p < 0.01) and hepatic lipids ( p < 0.01), as well as a litter with higher weaning weight ( p < 0.01). Originality/value Few studies have evaluated the effects of different models of malnutrition focusing on dams. CR dams showed severe weight loss, which may have caused their pups to be underweight. On the other hand, the CAF diet during lactation led to a higher consumption of lipids and accumulation of adipose tissue, which generated a high weight of the litter.