Organ weights in albino rats with experimental rickets

Abstract

Of the 118 rats used for this work, 37 were normal controls and 81 were young rats which had been fed various diets by Professor McClendon to produce experimental rickets. 1 The 81 test rats were autopsied and classified on the basis of gross skeletal appearance and previous X-ray examination as follows: 27 apparently normal, or nearly so; 19 with slight rickets; 19 with moderate rickets; and 16 with severe rickets. The diagnosis was also confirmed by microscopic examination, although the histological charges were found somewhat variable.

The weights of the various organs and parts were compared with the norms for corresponding body length or weight established by Hatai, Jackson and Donaldson. The percentage deviation was calculated for each organ and averaged for the five groups. The chief results are briefly summarized.

The body weight and tail length appear nearly normal (for corresponding body length) in all. In the rachitic rats the organs may be grouped as follows:

A decrease occurs in the weight of the integument, hypophysis, dry skeleton, empty stomach and intestine, and especially in the thymus.

An increase occurs in the weight of the eyeballs, heart, gastrointestinal contents, and especially in the submaxillary glands, kidneys and suprarenals.

No regular changes of importance were noted in the weight of the head, ligamentous and cartilaginous (moist) skeleton, musculature, brain, lungs, liver, spleen, ovaries, testes and epididymides, although marked variations occur in some groups.