Effect of protein-energy malnutrition on the growth of mandible and long bone in newborn male and female rats
Nakamoto, T.; Miller, S.A.
Journal of Nutrition 107(6): 983-989
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 405462 Document Number: 117584
Sprague-Dawley rats were suckled by mothers fed throughout pregnancy on a diet with 6 or 25% protein. No sex-linked difference was found in any of the values either during normal growth or in response to protein deficiency. While the total contents of protein, DNA, RNA and Ca were reduced in mandibles and long bones, the mandible was the less affected bone, although it seemed to be affected earlier. Malnutrition reduced the number of cells in the mandible without changing cell size or Ca content. In contrast, long bone seemed to be affected later than mandible and to be modified differently; not only cell number, but also cell size and cellular content of Ca were reduced. The findings could mean that the critical periods of growth for mandible and long bone are different.