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Twelve generations of marginal protein deficiency

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2008

R. J. C. Stewart ,
R. F. Preece  and
Hilda G. Sheppard
R. J. C. Stewart
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT
R. F. Preece
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT
Hilda G. Sheppard
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT
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Abstract

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1. Colonies of rats have been maintained for twelve generations on diets adequate (dietary-protein energy:total metabolizable energy (NDp:E) 0·I) or marginally deficient in protein (NDp:E 0·068)

2. In the malnourished colony, the proportion of ‘small-for-gestational-age’ offspring was ten times as high as amongst the well-nourished colony, growth was slow, sexual maturation delayed, especially in the females, and, when adult, both sexes were significantly lighter and shorter than adults of the well-nourished colony. Organs, other than the eye, weighed less than those of well-nourished ‘age’ controls, but when expressed relative to body-weight, the brain, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, testes, thymus and eyes were larger, the pancreas unchanged and the kidneys smaller than those of the well-nourished ‘age’ controls. The relative weight of the liver showed little change, being slightly increased in the males and, like the ovaries, slightly reduced in the females. On a body-weight basis, the brains were about 50% heavier than normal, but in absolute terms were 5–5·5% lighter than those of the well-nourished animals, the cerebellum (10·5% lighter in males and 12·9% lighter in females) being more severely affected than the cerebrum (4% lighter)

3. The young malnourished rats showed increased exploratory activity, transient head tremors and an increased sensitivity to noise, the latter being long-lasting if not permanent. When adult, they showed marked differences in behaviour and learning patterns and it was difficult to attract and hold their attention. In situations demanding a choice the animals were very excited, emitted loud squeals and tried to escape from what was clearly a stressful situation. However, a casual examination of the malnourished adults revealed a rather small, badly groomed, excitable rat without gross abnormalities

4. The findings are discussed in relation to changes found in malnourished human communities.

Type
General Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , March 1975 , pp. 233 - 253
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1975

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