Hyper- and hypoproteic diet in growing rats: comparison between effects and evaluation of damages

: Authors have studied the effects of purified hyper- and hypoproteic diets on fetal and postnatal (not further than 40th day) stage of the rat, when cell subdivision process is faster in all the organs. Litters were grouped according to mother's and rats' (after lactation) diet. Growth of rats, brain DNA and hystology of organs were evaluated. Results of the study have shown that both diets cause alterations on growth and brain DNA and also morphological changes of several organs. Yet, it looks like major effects are produced by hypoproteic diet since it causes, apart from general damage, an irreversible delay in growing process which is not reset by normal feeding.