THE ENERGY METABOLISM OF PREGNANT RABBITS

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Abstract
During pregnancy in the rabbit there is a progressive increase in energy metabolism; on ai basis of weight, from a normal of 2.61 calories per Kgm. per hr. to 3.19 in the last 5 days of the gestation period; and on a basis of surface area, from 32.73 to 41.50 calories per sq. m. per hr. The total metabolism is not markedly changed at birth; that is, the total heat production of the mother just before parturition is about equal to that of the mother and young combined just after parturition. If the fetus be considered as a separate organism and its surface area plus that of the mother be used in computing the metabolism, no increase in rate is evident during pregnancy. During the early post-partum period the metabolism of the rabbit, both per unit of weight and per unit of surface area, is considerably above normal.

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