QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Knoebel, L. K. Articles by Black, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Knoebel, L. K. Articles by Black, A.

The Influence of Vitamin B₁₂ and Antibiotics on Protein and Energy Utilization in a Low Protein Diet^1,2,

Department of Animal Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State College, State College

The effects of a combination of vitamin B₁₂ and antibiotics on protein and energy utilization were investigated in a 70-day growth and body balance experiment with 12 litter-mate pairs of growing albino rats. One animal of each pair was fed an unsupplemented diet compounded to contain adequate quantities of all known essential nutrients except vitamin B₁₂, while its litter mate was fed the same diet, in equivalent amounts (paired-feeding), plus a supplement containing vitamin B₁₂ and antibiotics. The protein in the diet was of vegetable origin and was fed at a 10% level.

The rats on the supplemented diet gained somewhat more live weight, stored more fat and less water, had less digestible and metabolizable energy and produced less heat than the animals on the unsupplemented diet.

At the level of protein fed in this experiment there was no indication that a specific relationship existed between the utilization of nitrogen and the supplements used, which is in confirmation of previous work in which a higher level of protein was fed. The utilization of energy-producing nutriment absorbed from the intestinal tract was shown to be improved by the presence of vitamin B₁₂ and antibiotics in the diet.

² We are indebted to Chas. Pfizer and Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., for the vitamin B₁₂ supplement, Bi-Con 3+, and streptomycin sulfate and to Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, N. Y., for the aureomycin hydrochloride.

Manuscript received 1 July 1952.