Background: Malnutrition, particularly protein deficiency, has become a serious problem in the densely populated and underdeveloped areas. It is well known that protein malnutrition can affect the structure and function of the heart.
Aim of the work: Was to investigate the effect of maternal low protein diet on the myocardial structure of albino rat offspring.
Material and Methods: A total number of 20 adult female albino rats were used. Female rats were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group; of 10 rats each. The first group was fed a normal-protein diet (NPD) that contained 20% casein. The second group was fed a low- protein diet (LPD) that contained 9% casein. All breeder rats were habituated to their respective diets for 2 weeks before mating, during pregnancy and lactation. The hearts of the pups were examined using a light and an electron microscopy at birth and at the age of one month.
Results: Low protein diet given to the mothers affected the structure of the pups' hearts in the form of wide spaces among cardiomyocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolization, interruption of myofibrils, loss of the cross striations and mitochondrial disruption. Conclusion: The protein energy under nutrition affects the structural organization of the cardiac muscle which would be reflected on the contractile function of the heart.
Recommendation: It is advisable to combat the protein energy malnutrition especially in the early stages of the heart development.