EFFECT OF PROTEIN DEPLETION DURING PREGNANCY AND PROTEIN REPLETION AFTER PARTURITION ON CELLULAR GROWTH IN RATS

Abstract

The effect of protein-free diet on cellular growth of the liver and muscle, in terms of cell size (protein/DNA) and cell number (total DNA), in pregnant and nonpregnant rats was investigated. Slight but significant decreases in the size and number of liver and muscle cells were observed in both groups of rats when fed a protein-free diet ad libitum for three weeks. When rats received only 5 g of the proteinfree diet a day for three weeks, the total DNA in their liver and muscles decreased greatly. When these depleted animals were refed, the size and number of liver and muscle cells increased to normal levels within 10 to 14 days. Similar changes in cellular response to the nutritional impacts were observed in pregnant and nonpregnant animals.