‘Latent Deficiency’ in Rats: Variations in Weight Loss on Repeated Feeding of a Defective Diet

Abstract
Rats which have lost weight as the result of a defective diet and have then been restored to ‘normal’ by stock ration show a more rapid weight loss if now placed for a second time on the same defective diet. This ‘secondary rapid weight loss’ may occur after as long an interval as 80 days between the first and second periods on defective diet. The nature and significance of the phenomenon are discussed, and it is pointed out that it is not due to anatomical lesions or to accidental conditions but must be ascribed to some real alteration in the status of the animals.