CHRONIC INANITION, RECOVERY, AND METABOLIC RATE OF YOUNG RATS

Abstract

Chronic starvation in young growing rats lowers the metabolic rate 10 to 20% below normal, but an abnormally high metabolism appears during the early period of ref eeding. The enhanced metabolism of early recovery is decreased in rats treated with growth hormone or with testosterone. Admn. of vit. B complex does not alter the course of metabolism during recovery. The metabolic rates are nearly normal at the end of ref eeding, although longer periods of undernutrition prolong the time required for recovery. The non-fasting respiratory quotients of the rats in a state of chronic undernutrition have values slightly higher than those given for normal rats.