Factors Affecting Proteinuria in the Rat

Abstract

In agreement with others a definite proteinuria was observed in normal rats. Females and castrate males excreted less protein than normal males and the amounts excreted varied with the percentage of casein in the diet. Rats deficient in pantothenic acid, in vit. E, or in methionine excreted less protein than normal rats. In vit. B6 deficiency, however, protein excretion was increased markedly. The injn. of testosterone into castrate males increased the excretion of protein to normal levels. Testosterone also increased proteinuria in females. The degree of proteinuria varied with basal metabolic rate. Certain rats with liver tumors excreted very large amounts of protein.