Effect of Graded Levels of Insulin on Feed Consumption in Normal Female Rats. ∗

Abstract

Summary

In a group of 24 normal mature female rats weighing 240 g, the mean daily food consumed was 13.3 g and 5.6 g/100 g body weight (bw). During a period of 78 days body weight increased 30 g. Feed consumption/day increased slightly during this period but it was related to increasing bw as shown by a lack of an increase/100 g bw. Mean daily feed intake was determined also in a group of 30 female rats weighing a mean of 242 g. Feed intake was 13.7 g/day and 5.7 g/100 g bw. During 78 days they gained 53 g. As the insulin level was increased daily feed consumption increased up to 20.2 g/day or a 48% increase and 6.9 g/100 g bw, an increase of 21%. This indicates that insulin increased feed intake in excess of the feed required for the gain in weight. All rats survived insulin at 3 unit level. As the insulin was increased further, an increasing number of rats failed to survive and at the 6 unit level only 10 rats survived.