Abstract
Summary
Daily feed consumption was determined in 34 lactating rats of the Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer strain. Feed consumption increased at a decreasing rate until it was 2.5 to 3 times normal at day 20 of lactation. Standard deviations, calculated separately for each day, increased as the means increased. Total feed consumption varied from 9.6 ± 3.7 g (Mean and S.D.) on day 1 to 38.7 ± 8.1 g on day 20 of lactation. Feed consumption per 100 g body weight was 3.5 ± 1.4 g, on day 1 and 14.1 ± 3.1 g on day 20, then returned to normal by 9 days after weaning the pups.
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