Abstract
Considerable work has been done on the effect of high protein diets on growth and general well being. The effect of high protein diets on the kidneys has also been studied. The data of Drummond, 1 Osborne and Mendel, 2 and McCollum 3 and their associates have largely been confined to these phases of study. Comparatively little has been done on reproduction.
The diets employed by us consisted of casein from 18 to 79.3%, salt mixture (185) 3.7%, wheat embryo 12%, cod liver oil (Squibb) daily 5%, and the remainder of the ration was composed of dextrin to 100%. The following levels of casein were studied: 18, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75.3 and 79.3%. Growth was normal on levels of 18 to and including 60% casein but below normal on higher levels. Reproduction was good on all levels of casein studied, but was delayed on the levels above 60%. No young were weaned on the 79.3% level. Young were weaned on the lower levels and most successfully on the 18% level of casein. The young weaned on the 18 and 25% levels were normal in weight but on higher levels of casein growth of the young was stunted.
The experiments employed 7 animals on each lot, 3 males and 4 females. In other words there were 7 animals on each level of protein.
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