DEVELOPMENT OF OBESITY IN FORCE FED YOUNG THYROIDECTOMIZED RATS

Abstract

Impaired N retention in ad libitum fed thyroidectomized rats, associated with reduced rate of growth, was not appreciably affected by a 70% increase in food intake. Increased daily rations, comparable to the above, did increase the N retention in normal rats. Force fed thyroidectomized rats continued to gain wt. beyond the "growth plateau" typical of those fed ad libitum. This growth was abnormal, however, since 57% of the carcass increment was fat and 7% protein. The total amt. of fat deposited exceeded that ingested in the diet. The carcass wt. gain in ad libitum fed thyroidectomized rats was 16% protein and 32% fat, whereas that in normals was 21% protein and 13% fat.