Effects of protein deprivation and refeeding on the subepicardial neurons of rat

Starvation during pregnancy may cause cardiac disorders and hinder optimal cardiac performance. We studied the influence of protein deprivation on subepicardic neurons in rats at early development stages and the effect of restoration of a normal diet. Three groups of pregnant Wistar rats were submitted to different diets according to its protein content: normal (NN group) and 5% casein (DD group), until 42 days after delivery and low protein for 21 days with refeeding for a further 21 days (RN group). All animals were weighed. The number and area of neuronal profiles were measured. The neurons were stained by histochemical methods nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH‐d) and their ultra structure were observed. Group DD and RN animals weighed less than those from group NN. The number of neurons and the cell profile area did not show significant differences among groups for both techniques. Endoplasmatic reticulum ribosomes in neurons of undernourished animals showed decreased electron density. Protein deprivation in early stages of development produces ultrastructural changes but does not alter the number and profile area of nerve cell bodies in rats.