Thermal behavior of the subnourished and pantothenic-acid-deprived rat.

Abstract

Albino rats in a low temperature environment were trained to secure bursts of heat from a heat lamp by pressing a lever. They were then placed on a pantothenic-acid deficient diet for 6 weeks. After this they were given various amounts of pantothenic and supplement or a placebo. The nonsupplemented group showed the highest "heat-lever" response frequency and the highest supplement group the lowest. "It was concluded that pantothenic-acid deficiency intensifies the effects of a subnutritive state with respect to cold and that this is not due to differential loss of body weight." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)