Pair Feeding as a Control Procedure in Metabolic Studies of the X-Irradiated Rat

Abstract

Assumptions implicit in the use of pair-feeding techniques have been discussed, and the logical consequences of using the pair-starved control as a basis for interpreting the potassium loss of radiation sickness have been explored. This type of experimental design assumes that the metabolic effects of starvation are major factors in determining the over-all experimental result. In the example studied this was not true. When this a priori assumption is not fully justified, erroneous conclusions result, and there is a loss of the total data. In many cases, therefore, the non-critical use of pair-feeding techniques may constitute a distinct hazard.