Dietary protein and the growth of rats infected with the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta

Abstract

1. Weanling rats fed on a relatively low protein diet were infected with several intestinal tapeworms. The weight gain and daily food intake of the rats were measured for 3 weeks before the animals were killed and the adult tapeworms recovered. The tissues of the rats and worms were then analysed for protein. Controls were provided by uninfected rats either pair fed or fed ad lib. For comparison, a similar experiment was conducted on rats fed on a relatively high protein diet.2. The effect of the infection on the protein-malnourished rats and of the low level of protein on the worms were apparently not significant. The amount of protein contained in the worm burdens was less than 1·5% of the average total intake of the protein-malnourished rats.