Apparent Digestible Energy and Nitrogen in the Food of the Weanling Rat

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Abstract
It has been demonstrated that on rations varying in apparent digestible energy content from 275 to 391 Cal. per 100 gm, weanling rats ate to satisfy their energy requirements. The nitrogen content of the ration appeared to exert a negligible influence upon food consumption. Mean values indicate that weanling rats will consume approximately 330 Cal. per 100 gm body weight per week. Nitrogen retention was largely controlled by the ratio of apparent digestible energy per gram of apparent digestible nitrogen in the food. Statistical treatment indicated that a level of 277 Cal. apparent digestible energy per gram of apparent digestible nitrogen was optimal for maximum nitrogen utilization. No differences in carcass composition resulted from maintaining weanling rats for a period of two weeks on the experimental diets. It was assumed that the short experimental period limited the manifestation of such differences.