title: Effects of nutritional deficiencies during neonatal and post-weaning period on rat intestinal phytase and phosphatase activities.
abstract: Studies were made of the effects of pre- and post-weaning undernutrition and/or protein deficiency on intestinal phytase and phosphatase activities in albino rats and reversibility of the same by subsequent dietary rehabilitation. Neonatal undernutrition induced by rearing the pups in litters of 16 caused a marked decrease in alkaline phytase activity (as compared to those reared in litters of 8), while acid phytase activity decreased to a lesser extent and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities did not change. When neonatally undernourished rats were subsequently continued on a 4 or a 20% protein diet in restricted amounts (2.5 g/day) for 6 weeks the decreases in the alkaline phytase activity but not in that of acid phytase were further aggravated. Acid and alkaline phosphatases were not influenced by these treatments either. On dietary rehabilitation of these rats for subsequent 6 weeks on a 20% protein diet (ad libitum) acid and alkaline phytase activities of intestine recovered partially. These studies indicate the importance of alkaline phytase activity as a marker of intestinal maturation and is also suggestive of interrelationships between nutrition, intestinal development and its alkaline phytase activity.
mesh_terms: D010832:6-Phytase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D010832:6-Phytase