Effect of zinc deficiency on the weight, cellularity and zinc concentration of different skeletal muscles in the post-weanling rat
1979
O'Leary, Mary J. | McClain, C.J. | Hegarty, P.V.J.
The effect of zinc deficiency on rat skeletal muscle refutes the idea that muscle abnormalities caused by nutritional stress contribute to the growth inhibition associated with Zn deficiency. Weanling rats were fed either Zn-deficient, Zn-supplemented, weight-restricted, or ad-lib diets from 3-8 weeks of age, and compared with control rats. Four skeletal muscles were examined for changes in weight, number and diameter of muscle fibers, and Zn concentration. Loss of muscle fibers occurs during normal growth; growth results, however, from an increase in length and diameter of muscle fibers. No significant differences were observed in muscle fiber diameter or structure in any of the four skeletal muscles examined, between Zn-deficient and weight-restricted rats. Only the soleus muscle was found to reduce its Zn concentration due to Zn deficiency. Fiber loss in Zn-deficient rats may be within a normal range, or may be related to the high concentration of Zn in the soleus muscle. Zinc deficiency did produce a reduction in weight and severe growth retardation. This may be caused by impaired food utilization or metabolism, or the reduced food consumption characteristic of Zn-deficiency.
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