Time Restriction of Food Intake During the Circadian Cycle Is a Possible Regulator of Reproductive Function in Postadolescent Female Rats.

backgroundWe previously reported that skipping breakfast is associated with menstrual disorders of female college students during postadolescent maturation.

objectiveIn this study, we investigated the effects of meal timing during circadian cycle on the ovarian function using young female rats.

methodsConsidering that rats are nocturnally active, 8-wk-old female Wistar rats were classified into 3 groups: fed during the daytime only (nonactive phase), night-time only (active phase), or control group I (without time or calorie restriction, free access to a standard caloric diet, 20.0% protein, 62.9% carbohydrate, and 7.0% fat, 3.95 kcal/g) for 4 wk. The changes in body weight and frequency of ovulation in each group were evaluated by a weight scale and a vaginal smear, respectively. At the end of the period of dietary restriction, ovaries were removed, and the numbers of growing follicles (mean diameter >250 µm) and corpora lutea (>600 µm) were examined using hematoxylin-eosin-stained tissue sections. In addition, 8-wk-old female rats were fed only during the night-time for 4 wk under a 20%-reduced food supply of the control group II (without any restriction).

resultsIn the daytime-fed group, the frequency and number of ovulations were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group I (

conclusionThese findings indicate that restricting food intake to the inactive phase impairs ovarian function in postadolescent female rats, suggesting that the timing of food intake during circadian cycle is one of the crucial factors interfering with the reproductive function.