Protein deprivation in primates. XI. Determinants of weight change during and after pregnancy.

Individual differences in weight gain of rhesus monkeys during pregnancy far exceed the variation in infant weight. Weight gain thus reflects maternal adjustment to her physiological state in relation to her environment rather than growth of the infant. Diets high in protein lead to great weight gain. Skeletal length is positively correlated and conception weight negatively correlated with weight gain. Season of pregnancy, length of gestation and sex of the infant are unrelated to weight gain. None of the monkeys exhibited edema during gestation. Postpartum changes in body weight were small during the first 6 weeks.