Maxillary and dental development in the offspring of protein‐restricted female rats

Nutritional restriction during developmental periods impairs organ physiology. Female rats were subjected to protein restriction during pregnancy and lactation to analyze dental and maxillary development. Four exposure groups were considered: normal‐protein diet during pregnancy and lactation (NP, 17% casein), low‐protein diet during lactation (LP‐L, 6% casein), low‐protein diet during pregnancy and lactation (LP), and low‐protein diet during pregnancy (LP‐G). Maxillae from 15‐day‐old male pups were collected. All protein‐restricted groups presented increased dentin thickness and reduced alveolar bone area. When protein restriction was applied during both gestation and lactation (LP), harmful effects were observed in the form of loss of protective OPG (osteoprotegerin) in tooth epithelium‐mesenchyme, due to higher RANKL expression, delay in odontoblast maturation, less dental pulp vascularity, reduction in amount of alveolar bone, and less matrix mineralization. In the LP‐L group, effects of protein restriction seemed less harmful, and despite less alveolar bone, the enhancement in BMP‐7, VEGF, and RANKL seems a compensatory signal to maintain maxillary osteogenesis. In LP‐G animals, Dspp expression was higher, suggesting a delay in odontoblast maturation or expression recuperation. In conclusion, maternal protein restriction affects dental and maxillary development. A low‐protein diet only in gestation allows for normal development. A low‐protein diet during gestation‐lactation results in impaired odontogenesis that may increase susceptibility of dental anomalies.