Catch-up growth in rats undernourished for different periods during the suckling period
Williams, J.P.; Hughes, P.C.
Growth 39(2): 179-193
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-4793 PMID: 808443 Document Number: 83390
Catch-up in bodyweight, nose-rump length and tail length was studied in male rats. At birth, young from several females were pooled and reallocated to provide litters of 16. In group 1 the number was reduced to 8 at day 8, in group 2 on day 15 and in group 3 rats were kept in large litters until weaning. Controls were in litters of 8 throughout. All were weaned at 22 days and were given food and water freely. Rats rehabilitated from 8 days had caught up in bodyweight and nose-rump length by day 22. Rats rehabilitated from 15 and 22 days were, respectively, 91 and 88% of bodyweight and 97 and 97% of length of controls by day 120. None of the experimental groups achieved the same tail length as the controls.