EFFECT OF DECREASED DIETARY PROTEIN ON THE RATE OF THYROID HORMONE SECRETION AND FOOD CONSUMPTION IN RATS

Abstract

SUMMARY One hundred and twenty albino female rats (Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer) were divided into five equal groups. Rates of thyroxine secretion (TSR) and food consumption were determined during the control period, and 10 and 25 days after initiation of dietary treatment. Animals in each group served as their own controls for the following modifications of their diet: (1) protein-free diet, (2) 5% protein (casein) diet, (3) 10% protein diet, (4) 15% protein diet, and (5) 20% protein diet. Purina lab chow (23·4% protein) and the 20% casein diet served as control diets. The TSR, the body weight and amount of food consumed were depressed significantly in the group fed on a protein-free diet for 10 and 25 days. The group fed 5% protein diet had a non-significant decrease in TSR as compared with the controls. Similarly, TSR was not reduced by 10, 15 or 20% protein diets. Food consumption decreased significantly in the groups fed a 5, 10 and 15% protein diet, but not in the group on 20% casein. Body weight decreased significantly in the groups on a protein-free diet and on a 5% protein diet. It would appear from these results that protein content of the diet does not become a limiting factor for TSR until it is lower than 5%. It is suggested that the calorie intake plays a more important role in regard to TSR than a low protein content of the food.