RESISTANCE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES IN CONNECTION WITH DIFFERENT DIETS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the relative value of different diets for conferring on animals resistance to extremes of temperature. These diets were equicaloric and equivitaminic and differed only in the relative proportions of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The self-selection method of feeding was used, with rats exposed to low and to high temperatures. The results obtained with this method have been verified on large groups of animals adapted and not adapted to extreme temperatures. It has been found that a diet rich in fats is decidedly superior to one rich in carbohydrates (both diets being equicaloric and equivitaminic) for adaptation and resistance to cold on the part of the animals, and that a diet rich in carbohydrates and poor in fats is much more favourable than one rich in fats for conferring resistance to heat.