Prenatal and perinatal zinc restriction: effects on body composition, glucose tolerance and insulin response in rat offspring

Maternal zinc restriction is associated with reduced body weight and altered insulin response in offspring.

• Offspring from zinc-restricted mothers weighed less than those from control mothers at birth, weaning, and 6 months of age.
• Male offspring showed corrected body weights when rehabilitated with a control diet, while female offspring did not.
• Zinc restriction increased body fat percentage and decreased lean mass, fat-free mass, and fasting plasma insulin levels in both sexes at 6 months.
• Glucose-induced insulin secretion was reduced in female offspring but not in male offspring.
• Fasting glucose levels and glucose response curves were similar across different offspring groups, despite differences in insulin response.
• Rehabilitation partially corrected body fat percentage but did not influence other metabolic parameters.

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