The Nutrition of the Mouse X. Studies on the Utilization of High and Moderately Low Protein Diets for Growth in Four Strains of Mice

Abstract

A wide range of protein efficiency ratios was observed when mice of 4 highly inbred strains were studied under identical conditions. Mice of the C₃H and A strains grew considerably more rapidly on a diet containing 10% casein than did mice of the C₅₇ and I strains. The growth rates of all 4 strains studied were reduced by feeding a 90% casein diet. The addition of NaHCO₃ or the substitution of lactalbumin for casein gave improved growth. Total weight gains of C₃H and A strain mice over a 30-day period following weaning were essentially the same whether the diet contained 10% or 30% casein. Mice of the C₅₇ and I strains gained more weight on a 30% than on a 10% casein diet.