Effects of prenatal malnutrition on development of oral tissue in neonatal rats.

The effects of prenatal malnutrition on the growth of incisor and molar tooth germs and tongue were investigated in newborn rats. Compared with the results on the young of well-nourished mothers, the young of the malnourished animals had fewer and smaller cells in the molar tooth germs and fewer cells in incisor tooth germs. The tongue of the malnourished animals had fewer but larger cells. 45Ca uptake studies and alkaline and acid phosphatase activities suggested that prenatal malnutrition affected incisor and molar tooth germs in different ways. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the tongue did not differ between dietary groups. The results indicate that an adequate protein intake is extremely important for the healthy development of the teeth and tongue of the offspring.