The control of puberty in the dietary restricted female rat.

Food intake, body weight and serum LH, FSH, progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta were monitored from weaning to puberty in fully fed females housed in groups of four or individually and in females individually housed and dietary restricted. Restriction of food intake from weaning delayed the onset of puberty (34-39 days fully fed, 63-189 days dietary restricted) which was achieved at the same body weight as in the fully fed females. Individual housing of fully fed rats resulted in a significant increase in relative and absolute food intake (but not body weight) and a decrease in serum FSH when compared to group housed fully fed animals. Serum FSH and progesterone were significantly decreased in restricted females and serum oestradiol-17 beta significantly increased.