Modulatory effects of estrous cycle on ingestive behaviors and energy balance in young adult C57BL/6J mice maintained on a phytoestrogen-free diet. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2024 Mar 01;326(3):R242-R253
Date
01/29/2024Pubmed ID
38284128DOI
10.1152/ajpregu.00273.2023Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85186271298 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
The estrous cycle is known to modify food, fluid, and electrolyte intake behaviors and energy homeostasis in various species, in part through fluctuations in estrogen levels. Simultaneously, commonly commercially available rodent dietary formulations greatly vary in soy protein content, and thereby the delivery of biologically active phytoestrogens. To explore the interactions among the estrous cycle, sodium, fluid, and caloric seeking behaviors, and energy homeostasis, young adult C57BL/6J female mice were maintained on a soy protein-free 2920x diet and provided water, or a choice between water and 0.15 mol/L NaCl drink solution. Comprehensive metabolic phenotyping was performed using a multiplexed Promethion (Sable Systems International) system, and estrous stages were determined via daily vaginal cytology. When provided food and water, estrous cycling had no major modulatory effects on intake behaviors or energy balance. When provided a saline solution drink choice, significant modulatory effects of the transition from diestrus to proestrus were observed upon fluid intake patterning, locomotion, and total energy expenditure. Access to saline increased total daily sodium consumption and aspects of energy expenditure, but these effects were not modified by the estrous stage. Collectively, these results indicate that when supplied a phytoestrogen-free diet, the estrous cycle has minor modulatory effects on ingestive behaviors and energy balance in C57BL/6J mice that are sensitive to sodium supply.NEW & NOTEWORTHY When provided a phytoestrogen-free diet, the estrous cycle had very little effect on food and water intake, physical activity, or energy expenditure in C57BL/6J mice. In contrast, when provided an NaCl drink in addition to food and water, the estrous cycle was associated with changes in intake behaviors and energy expenditure. These findings highlight the complex interactions among estrous cycling, dietary formulation, and nutrient presentation upon ingestive behaviors and energy homeostasis in mice.
Author List
Reho JJ, Muskus PC, Bennett DM, Grobe CC, Burnett CML, Nakagawa P, Segar JL, Sigmund CD, Grobe JLAuthors
Justin L. Grobe PhD Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of WisconsinJohn J. Reho Research Scientist II in the Physiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jeffrey L. Segar MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Curt Sigmund PhD Chair, Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsDiet
Energy Metabolism
Estrous Cycle
Female
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Phytoestrogens
Sodium
Sodium Chloride
Water
