Sex differences in recovery from cognitive and metabolic impairments induced by supplementary sucrose in rats

•Persistent adiposity in both males and females.•Consumption of 10% sucrose solution relative to bodyweight greater in females than males.•Females’ greater resistance to sucrose-induced impairment of spatial memory. Consumption of beverages containing around 10% sucrose contributes to worldwide obesity. Studies using rats can increase understanding of the consequences of such consumption. The present experiment aimed to compare male and female rats, first, in terms of cognitive and metabolic impairments produced by excessive intakes of 10% sucrose solution (Stage 1:8 weeks) and, second, with regard to recovery once access to sucrose ceased (Stage 2:4 weeks). All animals had unrestricted access to chow and water throughout. The primary cognitive outcome was performance on a place recognition task. The primary metabolic outcome was retroperitoneal fat pad mass/kg bodyweight at cull, with body weight and glucose tolerance as secondary outcomes. In a 3 × 2 between-subject factorial design the first factor was whether rats had: (1) unlimited access to a 10% sucrose solution and water throughout both stages (Suc-Suc); (2) were switched from sucrose in the 8-week Stage 1 to water only in the 4-week Stage 2 (Suc-Water); or (3) had no access to sucrose in either stage (Water-Water). The second factor was sex. A major metabolic outcome was that of persistent adiposity in both males and females in the Suc-Water condition. As for place recognition, females in the Suc-Suc condition showed greater long-term resistance than males to the impact of excessive sucrose on spatial memory impairment. Overall, few sex differences were found in secondary metabolic outcomes.