Effects of high-fat diet on growth and depression-like behavior of prenatal stress offspring rats

Abstract

To investigate effects of high-fat diet (HFD) on body length, weight and depression-like behavior of prenatal stress (PSoffspring rats. PS rat model was established by restraint stress. Sucrose preference and forced swimming tests were performedMoreover, the effects of HFD on the growth and depression-like behavior in offspring rats were observed. Length of male anfemale HF group was significantly longer than that control, but length of male PS+HF group was significantly shorter thaHF group. Body weight of male and female HF group was significantly higher than control, and body weight of male PS+Hgroup was significantly lower than HF group. No significant differences were observed in length between female PS +HF anHF groups. Compared with male PS+HF group, growth rate of male HF group was significantly higher. Moreover, HFD coulreduce sucrose preference, and prolong immobility time of PS offspring rats. HFD can promote weight gain of male and femalnormal offspring rats. PS can partially inhibit effects of HFD on weight gain of PS male offspring rats, but exert no significaneffects on PS female offspring rats. HFD can aggravate PS-induced depression-like behavior in offspring rats.