Differential effects of protein-calorie restriction and subsequent repletion on neuronal and nonneuronal components of cerebral cortex in newborn rats
Siassi, F.; Siassi, B.
Journal of Nutrition 103(11): 1625-1633
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 4201670 Document Number: 60664
The effect of protein-calorie restriction (PCR) and subsequent repletion on the somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex was studied in newborn rats. Newborn rats were subjected to prenatal restriction by reduction of the protein content of the maternal diet from 27 to 8% casein, or 10 days of postnatal deprivation by increasing the number of sucking young to 18 per litter. Both groups were then given adequate food until 21 days of age. Bodyweight, brain weight and volume were significantly reduced at 10 days in both experimental groups as compared with controls, and were not completely normal by 21 days after birth. Quantitative differential cell count of the somatosensory cortex indicated that PCR reduced nonneuronal components of the cerebral cortex to a greater extent than the neurons. Partial recovery after adequate nutrition was the result mainly of an increase in the number of glial and endothelial cells of the cerebral cortex. Prenatal PCR resulted in a greater permanent residual deficiency than postnatal restriction.