Perinatal malnutrition: effects on brain norepinephrine content

Timed-gestation Wister rats were given free access to isocaloric diets containing 8% protein (malnourished) or 24% protein (controls). The dietary regimen was initiated on the 12th day of gestation and continued to the dams throughout the remainder of gestation and lactation. Postweaning rats were continued on the respective diets until studies were performed. Whole brain norepinephrine concentration was slightly increased on Day 21 after birth and was significantly increased on Day 35 in malnourished rats as compared with controls.