The Energy Metabolism of the Albino Rat in Relation to the Plane of Nutrition

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Abstract
Respiration experimentsby the open-train Haldane procedurewere conducted with eight male albino ratsof approximately 100 gm. empty body weightat four planes of nutritionranging from fasting to full feed. The same diet—a commercialmixed calfmeal—was used throughout. The rats were fed twice dailyand were established on the desired plane of food intake prior to the respiration measurements. The measurement of the fasting metabolism was started 24 hours after the last meal was given. The activity of the rat was restrainedduring respiration experimentsby inclosure in a rather close fitting galvanized screen cylinder within the chamber. The hourly heat production and the total respiratory quotients varied but little for any given dietary treatment. The average daily heat production per 100 gm. of empty body weight was 12,720 calories for fasting14,736 calories with 4 gm. of food; 16,128 calories with 6 gm. of foodand 19,824 calories with 8 gm. of food per day. The average increments in heat production between fast and the 4-6- and 8-gm. food levelsrespectivelywere 504568 and 888 calories per gram of food consumed. Much higher heat increment values were obtained in comparisons which did not involve the fasting heat production. The highest value1848 calories per gramwas obtained between the two highest levels of feedingwhich were above maintenance. The results of this study confirm the observations of Forbes and associates on steersof Wiegner and Ghoneim on the rabbitand of Gigon on manin showing a progressive increase in the rate of rise of the heat production with increase in food consumptionwithin certain limits. These results and others refute Møllgaard's allegation that the comparatively low heat increments between the fasting and the maintenance planesfound by Forbes and associatesand by Wiegner and Ghoneimare due to experimental errors in the fasting heat measurements. The same general relationship apparently exists between food consumption and heat production in the ratthe rabbitthe steerand the human being.

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