Severe undernutrition in growing and adult animals

Abstract

Summary: 1)Pigs were held by undernutrition at weights of 5-6 kg till they were a year old. 2)Measurements and histological studies were made of their jaws and teeth and compared with those in animals of the same age and of the same weight. 3)Undernutrition: (a) altered the shape and anatomical relationships of the jaws; (b) retarded the normal growth of the gingivae and palatine ridges; (c) delayed the development of the teeth less than that of the jaws and resulted in overcrowding, displacement and malocclusion; 9d) prolonged the retention of the milk teeth; (e) altered the structure of both the enamel and dentine and probably reduced the size of teeth which were formed during the period of undernutrition, and also (f) altered the X-ray appearances and the structure of the maxilla and mandible and produced multiple 'lines of arrested growth'.