title: [Additive effects of protein malnutrition and cortisol on plasma proteins and immunoglobulins of pregnant rats, and their offsprings].
abstract: This research work was carried out to study the effects of two immunosuppressive mechanisms: protein malnutrition and cortisol treatment on the feto-maternal unit. Therefore, plasma Ig G and Ig M levels were tested in pregnant rats submitted to a low protein diet (4%) and cortisol treatment (0.5 mg/100 g b.w.) during pregnancy and in their offspring. Nutritional status was evaluated by measuring ponderal parameters and plasma protein levels in rat dams and their neonates. Thus, a fall in ponderal parameters and in plasma protein levels was observed, both in rat dams suffering protein malnutrition as well as in their newborns. Cortisol treatment produced a decrease in the ponderal parameters of the control group, and an increase in plasma protein levels of the malnourished one, both in rat dams and in their neonates. Apparently, protein malnutrition might lead to a low functionality of B lymphocytes, caused by a decrease in Ig G and Ig M rates of malnourished rat dams. Ig M levels, however, increased in neonates as a consequence of possible concomitant infections. Cortisol treatment promoted humoral immune deficiency, since Ig G and Ig M levels decreased both in the control and in the malnourished pregnant rat groups. Nevertheless, cortisol administration seemed to increase susceptibility to infection in the newborns, especially in those born from malnourished rat dams.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D006854:Hydrocortisone
vernacular_title: Efectos aditivos de la malnutrición proteínica y del cortisol en las proteínas plasmáticas e inmunoglobulinas de ratas gestantes, y sus neonatos.