Methyl donor supplementation alters serum leptin levels and increases appetite but not body weight in cross-fostered male Syrian hamster offspring (Mesocricetus auratus)

Abstract

A pregnant hamster's exposure to changes in environmental factors, such as light, temperature and nutrition, may influence behavioural and physiological changes in offspring. In this study, dietary methyl donor supplementation was employed to examine the role of maternal diet on appetite, body weight, serum leptin levels and locomotor activity in male Syrian hamster offspring. Dams were fed a standard control (SC) or methyl donor-supplemented (MDSD) diet through pregnancy and lactation. At birth, offspring were cross-fostered to dams fed an SC or MDSD diet (SC-MDSD and MDSD-SC) or remained with their birth mothers (SC-SC and MDSD-MDSD). At weaning, offspring were fed a SC or MDSD diet until 60 days of age. Food intake, serum leptin levels and locomotor activity were measured from 30-60 days of age. Offspring fed a MDSD diet post-weaning (MDSD-MDSD and SC-MDSD) consumed more than double the amount of food daily compared with offspring fed a SC diet post-weaning (SC-SC, MDSD-SC). Interestingly, there were no observed differences in body weight among all four groups. Serum leptin levels at 60 days of age were depressed in offspring fed a MDSD diet post-weaning (MDSD-MDSD and SC-MDSD). There were no observed differences in wheel running activity between the SC-SC and MDSC-SC groups. Wheel running activity was at least twice the amount in offspring fed a MDSD diet post-weaning (SC-MDSD and MDSD-MDSD). Taken together, these results indicate that the timing of methyl donor supplementation appears to be an important factor during the development of offspring.