The Effect of Fat Level of the Diet on General Nutrition

Abstract

During a period of severely restricted feedings, weanling rats receiving isocaloric amounts of diets varying in fat content grow better on diets containing fat than on a similar diet lacking fat. Mortality, from uncertain causes, was highest on the diet with 5% fat. During a recovery period of ad libitum feeding, growth, fertility, and lactation were better supported by diets with liberal amounts of fat than by a fat-free diet.