No abstract

Pregnant rats were fed a 27% (normal) protein diet or an 8% (low) protein diet. The in vitro absorptive capacity of the small intestine of the 2-day-old offspring of these animals was studied. The intracellular accumulations of a prototype amino acid (L-leucine) and sugar (D-galactose) were measured at initial velocity. The offspring of females fed the 8% (low) protein diet demonstrated a 32% decrease in the intracellular accumulation of leucine and a 19% decrease in the intracellular accumulation of galactose. The results are suggestive of a decrease in available transport sites in the offspring of protein-deprived females.

The developmental pattern of in vitro intracellular accumulation (IA) was studied in the small intestine of the offspring of females fed a 27% protein diet (normal) (NPD animals) and the offspring of females fed an 8% protein diet (low) (LPD animals). At 2 days of age, the IA of L-leucine (Leu) and D-galactose (Gal) was significantly reduced in the intestines of the LPD animals as compared to the NPD animals at initial velocities (75% and 81%) and under steady state conditions (82% and 84%). The IA of both compounds in the intestines of the LPD animals increased relative to the NPD animals until at weaning the IA of Leu and Gal under steady state conditions was significantly greater in the LPD animals (139% and 133%). After weaning, the IA of Leu was statistically increased (137%) and the IA of Gal was the same in the LPD animals as compared to the NPD animals at initial velocities. The variations in the developmental patterns of the IA of Leu and Gal in the intestines of LPD animals as compared to NPD animals appear to be related to animal age, which may reflect an improved caloric intake at weaning.