Effects of dietary protein on teratogenicity of polyphenols obtained from the outer coat of the fruit of Treculia africana

The teratogenic effects of a single subcutaneous dose of 2.5 mg kg−1 polyphenol given on day 6 of gestation were compared in weanling rats fed 5% protein for 4 weeks followed by normal protein diet (referred to as 5% normal protein diet) for the remainder of the experimental period (I), rats maintained on 10% protein diet (II), and rats on a normal protein diet throughout (III). These different diets are based on total dietary concentration of protein. Twenty-two percent of the rats fed 10% protein diet failed to mate while 39% failure of fertilization was observed. In rats fed 5% normal protein diets, the fertilization rate was 100%. Treatment with polyphenol obtained from the outer coat of the fruit of T. africana resulted in significant depression of fetal body weights in rats fed 5% normal protein diet and in rats maintained on normal protein diet throughout. Significant numbers of malformations (gross and skeletal) occurred in all the treated groups. Rats on a 5% normal protein diet and rats on the normal diet yielded a significant number of fetuses with internal soft tissue anomalies. The highest incidence of skeletal malformations occurred in polyphenol-treated rats maintained on 10% protein diet throughout the experiment. Complete rehabilitation took place by replacement of low protein diet with normal protein diet.