The effects of a lengthy period of undernutrition on the skeletal growth of rats.

Male rats undernourished from about birth until 100 days of age were nutritionally rehabilitated until 200 days. Six control and six experimental rats were anaesthetised and X-rayed at each of 50, 100 and 200 days. Measurements of various skeletal dimensions, and estimates of skeletal maturity, were made from these radiographs. Undernutrition caused significant deficits in all the skeletal dimensions measured, compared to control rats matched for age. These deficits persisted even following nutritional rehabilitation. Ratios between various skeletal dimensions and body length revealed that the body shape of the undernourished rats was also permanently altered. Estimates of skeletal maturity showed that 50 and 100 days old undernourished rats were significantly retarded compared to controls. However, 200 days old, previously undernourished, rats did not show such a difference, even though their body size was smaller than that of controls.