Undernutrition in relation to changed tissue composition in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The effect of long-term dietary restriction on the composition of the liver, the kidney, and several muscles was studied in red deer (Cervus elaphus). Food-restricted animals (n = 3) received approximately 20% of the ration of control animals (n = 3) for 13–23 weeks. Extreme undernutrition was associated with a reduction in body mass and a relatively large reduction in mass of the liver and kidney. Total protein and total DNA content as well as the protein/DNA ratio of the liver and kidney of food-restricted animals were lower, whereas the DNA concentration was higher, than in the control animals. The findings suggest a reduction in organ mass through a reduction in both cell size and cell number. The lower protein/DNA ratio and the increased DNA concentration in muscle of food-restricted animals suggest a reduction of cell size. The results obtained from different muscles indicate considerable variation in response to undernutrition among muscles. It is concluded that protein mobilization contributes to a depression of ketone body formation. The quantity of protein loss differed between anatomical sites. The concentration of protein and DNA and the protein/DNA ratio in the liver, kidney, and several muscles provide information about the nutritional status of red deer.