Effect of maternal protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation on the organic matrix composition of the bone and skin of the sucklings of rat.

Effect of a staple Nigerian diet comprising of cassava flour, vegetable soup and fish, and containing 10% protein on bone and skin organic matrix of the offspring of rats fed the diet during pregnancy and lactation was studied. Two types of the diet were formulated. One contained 10% protein for the poor and the other 21% protein for the rich Nigerians. The two types of diet were dried at 70 degrees C for 24 hrs and ground into powder so that the rat could consume it. Laboratory rat chow was used as the control diet and it contained 21% protein. Each diet was fed to different groups of rats with water ad libitum during gestation and lactation. Chemical composition of the bone and skin matrix of the sucklings of the rats at 10 and 21 days of age were determined. The weights of the femur, humerus and skin as well as nitrogen, hexosamine and uronic acid concentrations in the bone and skin, and calcium concentration in the bone of sucklings whose dams were fed the diet containing 10% protein were lower than those of sucklings of dams fed diet containing 21% protein. Proline:Nitrogen and Hydroxyproline:Nitrogen concentration ratios in the bone and skin, and Calcium:Nitrogen concentration ratio in the bone were not affected by the level of dietary protein given to the dams. The quantity and not the composition of organic matrix constituents, collagen and chondroitin sulphate were reduced by maternal protein deficiency. Improper formation of bone matrix caused reduced calcification. It is concluded that the 10% dietary protein eaten by poor Nigerians is inadequate to support normal bone and skin weight and matrix composition of sucklings from dams consuming the diet.