Effect of Sialoadenectomy on Weight Gain and Body Composition of Albino Rats

Abstract

Sialoadenectomized albino rats fed the same amount of food by stomach tube gained less weight that their litter-mate sham operated controls. Percentagewise, there was no appreciable difference in the water, protein, fat, ash, calcium and phosphorus in the bodies of the test and control groups. Approximately half the difference in body weight could be accounted for by a lesser amount of body water in the sialoadenectomized rats; the remainder for the most part by a lesser amount of fat. As there was no difference in the caloric value of the feces of the test and control groups, it is concluded that the lesser weight gain of the sialoadenectomized animals was not due to an impairment in digestion or absorption.