Effects of nutritional manipulation on body composition in the developing marsupial, Macropus eugenii

Publication date: Available online 28 March 2016
Source:Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Author(s): Jennifer A. Hetz, Brandon R. Menzies, Geoffrey Shaw, Aneta Stefanidis, Michael A. Cowley, Marilyn B. Renfree
When 60-day-old tammar wallaby pouch young (Macropus eugenii) are fostered to mothers at 120 days of lactation, their growth, developmental rate and maturation of their GH/IGF axes are markedly accelerated. To determine the effect of fostering on energy intake, body composition and fat accretion, we first measured total body fat and lean mass in these young. Next, we mimicked the triglyceride oleic and palmitic acid composition of 120-day milk by supplementing 60 day young with these fatty acids and comparing their growth with that of growth accelerated young. There was no difference in the weight or growth axis maturation of supplemented young but there was significantly more body fat in these and in the growth-accelerated fostered young than in controls. We conclude that the accelerated growth and GH/IGF axis maturation observed previously in fostered young is most likely due to increased milk consumption and earlier access to specific nutrients.

Graphical abstract

from #ORL-Sfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/23wpiWb
via IFTTT

from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1SrX7zO
via IFTTT