Postnatal protein deprivation in rhesus monkeys
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Protein deficiency in young rhesus monkeys impacts male growth long-term, while females recover. Diet and sex significantly influence weight gain and food efficiency during recovery from protein restriction.
Area of Science:
- Primate nutrition
- Developmental biology
- Animal physiology
Background:
- Early life nutrition is critical for growth and development.
- Protein deficiency can have lasting impacts on physiological functions.
- Sex-specific responses to nutritional challenges are common in mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of early-life protein restriction on rhesus monkey growth.
- To determine if sex influences recovery from protein deficiency.
- To analyze food intake and efficiency during and after nutritional rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- 97 rhesus monkeys were fed varying protein diets (3.35% to 13.4%) or a control formula from birth to 120 days.
- All monkeys were subsequently fed a standard diet (SMA) until 240 days.
- Growth, food intake, and food efficiency were monitored throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Males fed low-protein diets showed severe, persistent weight deficits, unlike females who recovered.
- Food intake patterns varied, with males on the lowest protein diet consuming the most relative to body weight.
- Growth efficiency differed by sex and diet, with prolonged effects observed even after repletion.
Conclusions:
- Early-life protein restriction has sex-specific, prolonged effects on rhesus monkey growth and metabolism.
- Males are more vulnerable to long-term consequences of protein deficiency than females.
- Nutritional rehabilitation strategies may need to consider sex and the severity of prior deficiency.
