[Effects of protein restriction using diets based on corn or corn and beans on body and head growth in rats]

It is known that malnourished rats show a reduction of body weight gain during postnatal development. However, more data are needed regarding the effects of protein restriction to rats fed a corn-bean and corn diets, on their body and cephalic growth. In the present work, 4 groups of adult female rats were fed during 5 weeks with diets with 23% protein (C); 8% protein (HP); corn (M); and corn-bean (M-F). Rats were mated with adult healthy male rats and the corresponding diets were continued during gestation and suckling periods. At 24 days of age, the pups of HP, M and M-F diet groups, only gained 48%, 30% and 18% respectively, in their body weight, whereas the body-length parameters (LNC and LNRC) showed a reduction of 20%, 35%, and 45%, respectively for the same diet groups. The cephalic measurements showed a significant reduction in the pups of the restricted diets when compared to data obtained in the group under control diet. The degree of alteration in the morphometric parameters was progressively greater with HP, M, and M-F, respectively.