Effect of water and food deprivation in pregnant rats on mitochondrial respiration and the state of gluconeogenesis in the rat pup liver

Wistar female rats were submitted to a water and food deprivation (food and water were restricted by 50% as compared to those consumed by control animals) during the entire pregnancy. There were 6 to 8 pups in the litters of experimental dams, the body weight of these pups being significantly lower than in control. In liver homogenates from deprived animals, intensity of gluconeogenesis was decreased by 50% or more, and gluconeogenesis precursors did not stimulate the glucose synthesis. Oxidation of pyruvate and malate as well as of caprylate by liver mitochondria remained significantly lower than in control from the postnatal day 10 to 2 months. A possible role of energetic disturbances in underdevelopment of animals submitted to the water and food deprivation during the intrauterine development is considered.