Fig. 1
Characterization of rats studied. Data are expressed as means ± SE. Line graphs represent course of change in mean food intake per day (a) and body weight (b) in the placebo (Pla, n = 6)-, the 17β-estradiol (E2, n = 6)-treated, the placebo/pair-feeding (Pla/PF, n = 6), and the placebo/exercise (Pla/Ex, n = 6) groups. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in food intake and body weight between the four groups. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001: E2 vs. Pla. +P < 0.05, ++P < 0.01, +++P < 0.001: Pla/PF vs. Pla. φP < 0.05: Pla/Ex vs. Pla. †P < 0.05: Pla/PF vs. E2. ###P < 0.001: Pla/Ex vs. E2. §P < 0.05: Pla/Ex vs. Pla/PF. There was an interaction of time and group effects in food intake (PTime×Group < 0.05: E2 vs. Pla or Pla/Ex, Pla/Ex vs. Pla) and body weight (PTime×Group < 0.05: E2 vs. Pla/PF or Pla/Ex, PTime×Group < 0.01, E2 vs. Pla, Pla/PF vs. Pla or Pla/Ex). Bar graphs represent wet weights of visceral (the sum of weights of the mesenteric, kidney-genital, and retroperitoneal adipose tissues) (c), inguinal (d) adipose tissues per body weights, and plasma E2 concentration (e) in the Pla (n = 6)-, the E2 (n = 6)-treated, the Pla/PF (n = 6), and the Pla/Ex (n = 6) groups at 17 weeks of age. One-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey’s HSD test revealed differences in wet weights of the visceral adipose tissues per body weights between the Pla and E2 or Pla/PF groups (***P < 0.001), and inguinal adipose tissues between the Pla and every other group (***P < 0.001). There is a difference in plasma E2 concentration between the E2 and every other group (***P < 0.001). OVX, ovariectomy. BW body weight