Influence of Diet and Heredity on the Serum Protein Components of The Rat

Abstract

Summary

1. Wistar rats had a significantly higher amount of total serum protein than BHE rats fed the semipurified diet and a significantly lower relative amount of albumin and alpha-1 globulin than the BHE strain regardless of diet. 2. All 3 strains fed the stock diet varied significantly in their serum beta globulin concentration. BHE and Wistar rats fed the semipurified diet, however, had similar concentrations of beta globulin while Holtzman rats fed this diet had a significantly lower relative value than BHE or Wistar rats. 3. The Holtzman strain had the lowest level of serum gamma globulin, which was significantly different from the Wistar strain regardless of diet, but different only from the BHE strain when the semipurified diet was fed. 4. A significant interaction between strain and diet was found for both the serum pre-albumin and beta globulin fractions. 5. Comparison of rats within strains (BHE, Wistar, Holtzman) fed either a stock diet or a semipurified diet showed no significant differences in total serum protein, nonprotein nitrogen or in individual protein component concentrations. 6. No differences among strains were observed in mobilities of individual serum protein fractions or amount of alpha-2 globulin.