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Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy and lactation affects the development of muscle fibers and neuromuscular junctions in rats
Author(s) -
Confortim Heloisa Deola,
Jerônimo Leslie Cazetta,
Centenaro Lígia Aline,
Pinheiro Patrícia Fernanda Felipe,
Matheus Selma Maria Michelin,
Torrejais Marcia Miranda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25187
Subject(s) - offspring , lactation , endocrinology , medicine , biology , soleus muscle , neuromuscular junction , pregnancy , fetus , skeletal muscle , anatomy , neuroscience , genetics
: A balanced maternal diet is a determining factor in normal fetal development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal protein restriction during pregnancy and lactation on muscle fiber and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) morphology of rat offspring at 21 days of age. Methods : Wistar rats were divided into a control group (CG), offspring of mothers fed a normal protein diet (17%), and a restricted group (RG), offspring of mothers fed a low‐protein diet (6%). After a period of lactation, the animals were euthanized, and soleus muscles were obtained from pups for analysis. Results : The soleus muscles of the RG exhibited an increase of 133% in the number of fibers and of 79% in the amount of nuclei. Moreover, the number of NMJs was lower in the restricted group than in the CG. Conclusions : Maternal protein restriction alters the normal development of the neuromuscular system. Muscle Nerve 55 : 109–115, 2017