. It is essential, therefore, to consider that taste alteration in offspring could be a critical factor for excessive energy intake. To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effect of two-generational HFD exposure on the five basic tastes of offspring. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of maternal HFD consumption during pregnancy and lactation, as well as HFD intake in the early life of rat offspring, on the peripheral taste system.
Fasting blood glucose levels were monitored in mothers and offspring. All rats were subjected to daytime fasting to minimize stress. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein under inhalation anesthesia , and fasting blood glucose levels were measured weekly using a glucometer . All animal and experimental procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Welfare Committee prior to the study. In addition, all experimental procedures were conducted according to the Animal Care Standards of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and ARRIVE guidelines.During the lactation period, each mother rat in the SD and HFD groups was caged with their pups. Two identical bottles were used for 48 h. After 24 h, the bottle position was switched to prevent positional effects.