Effect of Various Restricted Dietary Regimens on the Growth, Health and Longevity of Albino Rats

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Abstract
Ad libitum feeding, customarily used for nutritional and toxicological studies, usually leads to obesity and reduced longevity in long-term studies. This experiment was designed to compare the effects of various restricted regimens on the growth, mortality and several physiological parameters in rats in order to develop a regimen which would reduce obesity and mortality, yet maintain a realistic model. Male and female rats were fed a semipurified diet as follows: 1) ad libitum, 2) restricted to 80% of ad libitum intake throughout life, 3) same as 2 except restricted to 60%, 4) ad libitum 12 weeks, then restricted to 80%, 5) same as 4, except restricted to 60%, 6) restricted to 80% for 12 weeks, then ad libitum and 7) same as 6, except restricted to 60%. Regimens 2, 3, 4 and 5 reduced the ultimate size and mortality in both sexes. Rats in groups 3 and 5 had the lowest mortality, but were significantly different from group 1 in many parameters. Regimen 2 resulted in twice as many survivors and characteristics not significantly different from regimen 1 at 2 years. Rats in groups 6 and 7 had a mortality rate similar to group 1, but had more disturbed biological characteristics, such as smaller vital organs and increased levels of liver and body fat.

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