Effect of Perinatal Protein Malnutrition Under Serotonergic Control on Feeding Behavior: A Systematic Review

Protein malnutrition during the perinatal period leads to several morphological and physiological changes in the central nervous system whose main purpose is to prepare the body for environmental conditions. Several studies have been developed to explain the effects that malnutrition causes over feeding behavior in adults, and in particular on the role of the serotonergic system in this control. Thus, the objective of this systematic review was to assess emerging literature on the effects of perinatal malnutrition on the control of feeding behavior and the role of the serotonergic system in this control. The articles were researched in the virtual libraries Pubmed, Lilacs and Medline using as keywords: "Protein Malnutrition", "Feeding Behavior", "Serotonin Receptors", "Gestational malnutrition", "Perinatal undernutrition", "Fetal Nutrition Disorders" and "Serotonin". 261 articles in total were found. However, after excluding duplicates and analysis of the criteria for inclusion and exclusion 8 articles remained. Analysis of the articles showed that malnutrition in the perinatal period leads to changes in food preference in rats, in addition to delaying the point of satiety of these animals. It was also found that there is increased protein expression of c-fos groups forebrain neurons, increased expression of 5HT-1A receptors and increase in brain serotonin levels. These findings suggest that changes in eating behavior in malnourished animals can be brought about due to changes in the serotonergic system.