INFLUENCE OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE DIET ON THE THIAMIN REQUIREMENT OF DOGS

Abstract

Growing and mature dogs were protected from the anorexia associated with a thiamin deficiency by the inclusion of 75 [gamma] of thiamin chloride per 100 gs. of a low-fat basal ration. When the fat content of the diet was increased to 56.5%, by isocalorical replacement of sucrose by fat, the thiamin requirement was decreased to approximately J of the former level, or 27.5 [gamma]%. This level was 75 [gamma] per 100 g. of the non-fat constituents of the high fat ration. The dogs ate readily and grew well on the high fat diets when the latter contained adequate amts. of the antineuritic factor. The requirement for thiamin by most spp. of animals may be simply stated as approximately one [gamma] of the vit. per gr. of dietary solids. With increased amounts of fat in the diet the requirement is correspondingly reduced.