Adolescent hyperactivity of offspring after maternal protein restriction during the second half of gestation and lactation periods in rats

To clarify the effect of systemic growth retardation on behavior, pregnant rats were fed a synthetic diet with either a normal (20% casein) or low (10% casein) protein concentration from gestational day 10 to postnatal day (PND) 21 at weaning. Offspring were examined for sensory and reflex functions, detailed clinical observations, manipulative test, grip strength, motor activity and water-filled multiple T-maze test. Lowering trend in the air righting reflex index during lactation period and a decrease in grip strength on PND 72 were observed in the low protein diet group showing suppression of systemic growth. However, they were simply the reflection of delayed systemic growth, because parameters on impaired reflex function, disturbance of motor function and paralysis were unaffected. On the other hand, low protein diet resulted in increased motor activity in female offspring. Thus, malnutrition due to maternal protein restriction may cause adolescent hyperactivity.