Effects of soy protein and casein on lipid metabolism in mature and suckling rats

This study investigated the effect of soy protein and casein on lipid metabolism in dams and their suckling pups. Sprague-Dawley dams were fed casein or soy protein diets containing 1% cholesterol after parturition. Dams fed soy protein diets had significantly lower total cholesterol in serum liver and milk when compared to dams fed casein diets. Protein sources didn't influence body weight of pups during suckling period. However, suckling rats with darns fed soy protein had significantly lower serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipid concentrations than the corresponding casein group. Hepatic lipids were mainly affected by suckling days, the contents of hepatic total cholesterol, cholesteryl ester and triacylglycerol increased with suckling. time. These results show that different protein sources influenced the lipid metabolism of darns as well as pups during suckling period. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.