These experiments were designed to study the influence of protein undernutrition during lactation period(3 wks) or after-weaning period(8 wks) on growth of organs, and on brain and liver composition of the experimental rats. The following experimental groups were studied.
Group No. Rats Lactation Period(3 wks) After-weaning Rehabilitation Period
(Diet of mother rat) period(8wks) (17wks)
I 8 25% Casein diet 25% Casein diet 25% Casein diet
1 8 1256 Casein diet 250´ Casein diet 25% Casein diet
11 8 255?ol Casein diet b,o Casein diet 230´ Casein diet
N 8 12% Casein diet 5b Casein diet 25.´16 Casein diet
After the pe,-riod of rehabilitation(17 wks) with 25´o casein diet, the following results were obtained
1. Most of the organs except the spleen could not catch up w;th the normal group in their weights for the group of protein undernut7ition during lactation(, -,ks . even after 17%reeks of rehabilitation. For the group of protein undernutrition during after-weaning period(8 wks) brain, lung, heart, spleen and pancreas could catch up with the normal group after rehabilitation. According to this result it is assumed that the growth of brain, lung. heart and pancreas might be developed mostly during lactation period and that the growth of liver and kidney- might be developed iterweaning period continuously.
2. For the groups of protein underuntrition during lactation period or after-weaning period the amounts of total lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid of brain were lower than those of normal group. Especially, cholesterol level was significantly lower than normal group. And there was also a significant difference in the phospholipid level of the after-weaning(8 wks) deprivation group.
3. The groups of protein undernutr ition during lactation or after-weaning period(8 wks) showed lower level of liver nitrogen and higher level of liver fat. Especially, protein undernutrition during lactation gave a greater influence on the level of liver fat.
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