Maternal phenotype, exercise level and hormonal status
Total 24 hour energy intake, measured just prior to mating was 244.9 ± 10.9 and 486.1 ± 18.7 kJ/ rat in the lean and obese dams respectively. The obese dams consumed 60% more energy than the lean group. Lean (CE) and obese (FE) dams exercised to a similar degree, showing modest exercise levels as judged by the total running distance until the end of pregnancy, Table 1. While FE appeared to run slightly less than CE, this failed to reach significance (P >.05). Distance run generally declined as pregnancy progressed. When distance run during the first 4 weeks was compared, it was also similar in the two groups