The Effects of the Substitution of Bicarbonate for Chloride in the Diet of Rats on Growth, Energy and Protein Metabolism

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Abstract
In a paired-feeding experiment comparative data on water consumption, growth, energy and protein metabolism, and body composition were secured with rats on a synthetic diet with normal chloride content (0.28%) and rats on the same diet in which the chlorides of the salt mixture were replaced by equivalent quantities of the corresponding bicarbonates. The chloride deficient ration contained 0.02% chloride and 0.49% bicarbonate. At this level of intake, the bicarbonate was considered to be innocuous and the results obtained were attributed to the deficiency of dietary chloride. In comparison with the rats receiving the normal chloride ration, the chloride deficient rats showed depression of appetite, increased consumption of water, increased heat production and diminished body gain of nitrogen and energy. There was a smaller percentage gain of water on the basis of fat-free tissue, and the ratio of water gained to protein gained was significantly lower with the chloride deficient rats than with the normal controls. The prevailing deficiency of chloride ion did not affect the digestion and absorption of nutrient energy but did prominently affect its disposal within the bodies of the rats.