Effects of oxytocin treatment in early life on body weight and corticosterone in adult offspring from ad libitum-fed and food-restricted rats

The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the effects of maternal undernut rition during pregnancy on adult offspring with regard to growth, body comp osition and plasma levels of glucose, insulin and corticosterone, and (2) t o investigate whether oxytocin treatment early in life could ameliorate the adverse effects of food restriction in utero. Pups from ad libitum-fed and food-restricted (60% of ad libitum intake during pregnancy) rats were inje cted subcutaneously once a day with oxytocin or saline on days 1-14 after b irth. At adult age (62 days), male offspring from food-restricted darns had lower body weight, less adipose tissue, lower plasma glucose but higher co rticosterone levels, compared to offspring from ad libitum-fed dams. Howeve r, oxytocin-treated food-restricted males had higher body weight, higher gl ucose and lower corticosterone levels compared to their saline-treated coun terparts. In conclusion, oxytocin treatment early in life seems to ameliora te some of the adverse effects of food restriction in utero. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.