The interaction of dietary protein and zinc deficiencies with Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection in mice /

• Main Author: Boulay, Marjolaine
• Other Authors: Koski, Kristine (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1994
• Subjects: Mice > Parasites.; Heligmosomatidae.; Zinc > Physiological effect.; Proteins in animal nutrition.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=55480

The effects of single and combined dietary protein and zinc restrictions on the outcome of primary and challenge infections with the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice were examined using a 3 x 2 factorial design that combined three levels of dietary protein (24% - control; 7% - marginal; 3% - low) with 2 levels of dietary zinc (60 mg/kg - control; 3 mg/kg - marginal). Protein and zinc restrictions, at these levels, produced independent effects on final worm burdens. While mice fed both marginal and low protein diets, and marginal zinc diets had significantly higher worm burdens in a primary infection, the response to a challenge infection was only impaired in animals fed the low protein diet. Eosinophilia was significantly reduced by zinc restriction in the primary infection and by the lowest level of protein restriction in the challenge infection. The magnitude of the serum IgG1 concentration was significantly lowered by protein restriction in both the primary and challenge infections. The impaired response to a challenge immunizing protocol in the animals fed the 3% protein diet, along with the reduced eosinophilia and IgG1 response, indicates a negative effect of protein deficiency on the host immune response to an intestinal nematode infection.