The effect of prenatal protein-energy malnutrition on collagen metabolism in fetal bones.
We analyzed various biochemical variables of the bones in fetal rats whose dams were protein-energy malnourished. Dams were randomly divided into two groups and fed either a 6% protein diet as a malnourished group or a 20% protein diet as a control, from day 13 of gestation to day 22, when fetuses were removed. Hexosamine and hydroxyproline contents of the calvaria and hexosamine contents of long bones were greater in the malnourished group than in the controls. Sequential extractability of collagen differed among various bones in the malnourished group and controls. The ratio of alpha:beta obtained from SDS-polyacrylamide gel of neutral salt-soluble collagen tended to increase in the long bones and mandible, and decrease in the calvaria and ribs in the malnourished group. Also, the ratio of alpha 1:alpha 2 tended to be lower in the malnourished group than in the control group in all bones. Protein-energy malnutrition during pregnancy has shown to affect biochemical composition of various fetal bones.
Miwa
T
T
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.
Shoji
H
H
Solomonow
M
M
Yazdani
M
M
Nakamoto
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000196:embryology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000378:metabolism; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000196:embryology*; D051381:Rats
D006595:Hexosamines; D003094:Collagen; D006909:Hydroxyproline