OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of early weaning on weight gain and body composition of young adult mice. METHODS: Swiss Webster male mice were weaned early, on the 14th day of life, or breastfed until the 21st day of life (control group). After weaning, the animals were fed a chow specifically made for growing rodents up to the 63rd day of life, when they were sacrificed. RESULTS: The body weight of the animals from the early-weaned group was significantly greater on the 28th, 35th, 63rd days of life compared to those from the control group (p<0.05). Nevertheless, no significant difference in the food intake between the groups was observed. The concentration of serum total proteins, albumin and iron, as well as the concentration of protein, DNA and the protein/RNA ratio in the liver, muscle and brain, did not differ between the groups..The early-weaned group showed an increased absolute quantity of lean mass, lipids, protein and ash compared with the control group (p<0.05). The relative quantity of water, lipids, lean mass, protein and ash did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Early weaning, associated with the consumption of a chow specifically made for growing rodents, led to an increase in weight gain, but did not influence body composition in adult mice.
Breastffeeding; Mice; Body composition; Food consumption; Weaning
