Effects of Fasting on Tissue Shrinkage in Rats

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Abstract
Forty-Two male, white rats were used to study the effects of feeding or fasting for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hr. on gain or loss in weight of selected body components. Empty warm carcass, skin and liver significantly (P<.05) increased in weight as the rats continued to receive feed. There were no significant changes in weights of the other seven components studied. All of the body components studied except the lungs showed significant shrinkage during fasting. A significant loss in weight of the warm carcass, spleen, heart and thymus gland did not occur until the rats had been fasted 48 hours. The skin, head, G. I. tract, liver and kidneys were significantly affected in only 24 hours. The rapid shrinkage of liver probably was due to the depletion of glycogen, a fast turnover rate of fatty acids and the loss of moisture. After 72 hr. of fasting, the carcass, skin and G. I. tract shrank more than 70% of the total shrinkage. Muscle ether extract levels significantly decreased between 24 and 48 hr. of fasting, indicating that tissue shrinkage was occurring. Protein levels were not significantly decreased by fasting. These data indicate that tissue shrinkage occurred between 24 and 48 hr. of fasting and that this loss apparently was adipose tissue. Copyright © 1972. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1972 by American Society of Animal Science

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