Relative Growth Responses of Previously Depleted Male and Female Rats to Vit. A Supplementation. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Male rats which have been depleted of their body reserve of vit. A grow more during a 28-day test period than do corresponding female rats when a daily dosage of 2.0 U.S.P. units or more of the vitamin is fed as the supplement. This increased growth is not directly related to the body weight of the test animal at the beginning of the supplementary feeding period. While it appears that the greater growth capacity is an inherent characteristic of the male rat which is present at the beginning of the test period, it is not clear as to why this characteristic does not manifest itself at all levels of vit. A intake.