Neonatal overfeeding in male rats alters eating behaviour and hedonic control of food intake in adulthood.

FERNANDEZ P; CANESINI G; SCHUMACHER, R.; GAYDOU, LUISA; ROSSETTI MF; GARCÍA ANA P; SABELLA A; RAMOS J G; STOKER C

SAN LUIS

Congreso; CONGRESO SAN 2023; 2023

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE NEUROCIENCIAS

We analysed the impact of neonatal overfeeding and the exposure in adulthood to a cafeteria diet (CAF) on eating behaviour and on the expression of key genes of the reward dopaminergic pathway of the brain. Male Wistar rats were raised in small (4 pups/dam, SL) or normal litters (10 pups/dam, NL). From weaning to postnatal day 90 (PND90), they were fed with control diet (CON). From PND90 and for 11 weeks the animals received CON (3 kcal/g) or cafeteria diet (CAF) (4,85 kcal/g) (NL-CON, NL-CAF, SL-CON, SL-CAF; 10-14 rats/group). Body weight and food intake were recorded weekly. Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Specific Sensory Satiety test (SSS) were performed. Brains, blood and fat pads were obtained. Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), was isolated by micropunching technique. For mRNA analysis, qPCR was performed. CAF consumption increased body weight, energy intake and adiposity (p