As a consequence of the high fat content of maternal milk, the brain metabolism of the
suckling rat represents a model of naturally occurring ketosis. During the period of lactation,
the rate of uptake and metabolism of the two ketone bodies, β-hydroxybutyrate and
acetoacetate is high. The ketone bodies enter the brain via monocarboxylate transporters
whose expression and activity is much higher in the brain of the suckling than the mature rat.
β-Hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate taken up by the brain are efficiently used as substrates …