Effects of prenatal and postnatal protein malnutrition on the cerebellum of albino rat pups

ABSTRACT

Protein malnutrition is a worldwide problem affecting millions of infants during development of cerebellum causing structural and functional deficits. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of prenatal and postnatal protein malnutrition on cerebellar cortex of albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were collected randomly and divided into two main groups; Control [25% protein] and malnourished [8% protein]. Each main group was subdivided into two groups [ten dams each] where pups were collected at the age of 4 days and 22 days. The cerebellum from each pup was fixed and prepared for the Haematoxylin and Eosin stain then used for measurements of cerebellar layers thickness. Prenatal and postnatal protein malnutrition in rat pups decreased significantly the thickness of all cerebellar layers at ages of 4 and 22 days. It was observed that protein malnutrition distorted the shape of Purkinje cells and decreased significantly their surface area. In conclusion, exposure of neonatal rats to prenatal and postnatal protein malnutrition resulted in a significant reduction in the thickness of all cerebellar layers and distortion of the Purkinje cells. These changes could affect cerebellar functions later