Maternal protein restriction in microswine: programming of postnatal growth, body composition and adipose tissue structure and function

Accelerated postnatal growth in low birth weight offspring is associated with increased risk of later cardiometabolic disease, but the relative roles of rapid growth versus obesity remain unclear. Using a microswine model, this study examined the effects of maternal protein restriction (MPR) during late gestation and early lactation on growth, adipose tissue development, metabolic function, and glucocorticoid signaling. Low‑protein offspring exhibited early growth restriction followed by accelerated juvenile growth, increased feed intake and efficiency, and rapid fat and lean mass accrual without obesity or adipocyte hypertrophy. Altered adiponectin expression occurred independently of HPA axis activation. Findings suggest that MPR programs both direct metabolic effects and indirect consequences mediated by accelerated growth, providing insight into mechanisms linking early nutrition to later disease risk.