Spleen and Liver Responses of Protein-depleted Rats to Dietary Egg Protein 1

Abstract

Summary

Protein-calorie-depleted, adult male rats were immunized and fed ad libitum 0, 3, 6, or 9% egg protein. Weights and nucleic acids of spleen and liver were determined after 5 or 6 days. Increasing egg protein during repletion from 0 to 9% increased gains in body weight, RNA and DNA of spleen and total hepatic RNA also increased. Hepatic weight and DNA were similar among animals fed 3–9% protein. Serum antibody concentration was not significantly affected by the level of dietary protein.