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Influence of Food and Energy Restriction and Subsequent Recovery on Body Composition and Food Utilization of Rats

Animal Husbandry Department, University of California, Davis

Growing rats were restricted in their food or energy intake for three or 4 weeks at 70% of the food intake per unit of body weight^0.75 of the ad libitum-fed controls. They were subsequently fed a total amount of food equivalent to that consumed by the controls. The rats in the first experiment in which the food and energy intake were restricted for 4 weeks came within 9 gm of the weight gain of the controls. This was accomplished even though the experimental period was longer for the restricted rats. In the second experiment there was statistically no difference between groups in weight gains.

Even though there was little difference in weight gains between rats restricted either by energy or total food intake, differences were apparent in body composition. The proportion of fat to fat-free tissue for the rats restricted in energy intake and subsequently refed was the same as that of the ad libitum-fed controls. However, a greater proportion of fat was found in the bodies of the rats which were restricted in total food intake and subsequently fed adequately.