DIETARY LIPID AND POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT .2. PALMITYL COENZYME A OXIDATION IN HEART AND LIVER

Rabbit pups were maintained from birth either on a high fat, low protein diet or on a low fat, high protein diet for as long as 10 days. Rates of palmityl coenzyme A oxidation, glutamate + malate-supported respiration and cytochrome oxidase activity in heart and liver homogenates were the same in both groups and similar in all respects to rates observed in mother-fed animals. The hypothesis that the amount of lipid in the postnatal diet influences the ability to oxidize long chain fatty acids must be re-evaluated. Other perinatal stimuli may be more important than diet in regulating oxidative energy metabolism to ensure survival during this critical transition period.