Starvation-induced organ hypoplasia in prenatal and postnatal guinea pigs

The severity and permanence of growth retardation was measured in guinea pigs starved for 3 weeks with a 50% ration in late gestation (prenatal), at birth (neonatal), or at weaning. Acute and chronic effects were assessed as body mass, skeletal length, hematology, and the weight, DNA and protein contents of the hearts, the lungs, and the livers of the starved and refed animals. Organ hypoplasia was most pronounced in the prenatally starved group, and was associated with numerous stillbirths. Among survivors, catch-up growth was eventually complete. Prenatal starvation of this species provides a reproducible model of human intrauterine growth retardation, particularly of the pulmonary system.