Effect of Malnutrition During Pregnancy on the Development of the Mammary Glands of Rats

Abstract
Sprague-Dawley rats fed 50% of normal food intake from day 5 of gestation had a marked reduction in the weight of their left mammary glands compared with control nonrestricted animals. The affected glands had a significant reduction in DNA, RNA and protein content. Protein/DNA ratio was also reduced while RNA/DNA ratio was unchanged. Histological studies of the glands revealed a reduced number of parenchymal cells, reduced cell size and larger lumen within the alveoli.