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The Influence of Exercise on the Growing Rat in the Presence and Absence of Vitamin B₁¹

Five Figures

Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, Pennsylvania State College

Experiments conducted with carefully selected groups of young rats as experimental subjects have yielded data which demonstrate that the vitamin B₁ requirement of these animals, as indicated by the time required for the cessation of growth and for the development of the paralytic symptoms, is increased by physical exercise. These findings are not in agreement with previous findings concerning the influence of exercise on the vitamin A requirement of the growing rat. A possible explanation of this variation may be found in the differences in the physiological function or functions of the two vitamins.

In the instance of the animals receiving no vitamin B₁, increased exercise resulted in less food consumption, less growth, early development of paralytic symptoms and the elimination of a greater number of fecal particles. With the animals receiving 6 µg. of vitamin B₁ daily, increased exercise resulted in less growth and in the elimination of a greater number of fecal pellets. During the first 4 weeks of the test period, those animals which were permitted to exercise voluntarily were more active physically while not receiving vitamin B₁ than were comparable animals, similarly caged, but receiving vitamin B₁. However, during the latter stages of vitamin B₁ depletion, physical activity among these animals declined to a minimum of about one-third of its previous value. This decline in physical activity continued for approximately 6 days after the administration of daily dosages of 6 µg. of vitamin B₁. There was a steady resumption of activity by these animals during the last 4 weeks of the experimental period, as the result of the administration of the vitamin. Definite nervous instability resulting from vitamin B₁ deficiency was indicated, during the early part of the depletion period, by the increased tendency of the animals to exercise.

Manuscript received 12 August 1940.

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