DNA (cell number) and protein in rat brain. Second generation (F 2 ) alteration by maternal (F 0 ) dietary protein restriction.

Abstract

Female rats (F₀) were maintained on a normal (C) or a protein-restricted (8%) diet (R) 1 month prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. Their offspring (F<sub>1</sub>) were nursed by their natural or foster mothers on normal diet or protein-restricted diet. All offspring were maintained on normal diet after weaning; the females were mated with normal males, and one group of R males with normal females. The second generation (F<sub>2</sub>) was maintained on normal diet from birth. Body weight and cerebral weight, DNA and protein were measured in F<sub>1</sub> and F<sub>2</sub>, at birth and at 30 and 90 days. Previously-reported developmental deficiencies were observed in F<sub>1</sub> in all restricted groups at birth and at 30 days, but only in DNA of some groups at 90 days. The F<sub>2</sub> offspring from all experimental females had at birth significantly lower cerebral DNA (cell number); in most groups this deficiency in F<sub>2 </sub>did not persist at 30 days. Cerebral deficiencies in newborn F<sub>2</sub> resulting from protein restriction in F₀ or F<sub>1</sub>were transmitted to the next (F<sub>2</sub>) generation through females but not through males. Several explanations of this effect are offered.