SOLVENT-EXTRACTED RAPESEED OIL MEAL AS A PROTEIN SOURCE FOR PIGS AND RATS: IV. LIVER WEIGHTS AND VITAMIN A STORAGE IN THE LIVER

Abstract

Sows receiving rations containing solvent-extracted rapeseed oil meal (R.O.M.) as a replacement for 50 or 100 per cent of the soybean oil meal in the ration (6.0 and 12.0 per cent R.O.M. in the total ration during gestation and lactation) had larger livers on the basis of either absolute weight or of the ratio of liver weight to body weight. The sows receiving the highest level of dietary R.O.M. had increased liver storage of vitamin A per gram of liver and in the total liver. With pigs at 200 pounds live-weight, 12-week-old growing rats, or rats following reproduction, the ratio of fiver weight to body weight was increased when high levels of R.O.M. were included in the diet, but these differences were non-significant. Vitamin A storage in the fivers of these animals was not influenced consistently by the level of R.O.M. in the diet.