Effect of Exercise on Growth and Cataract Development of Rats Fed Galactose.

Abstract

The high blood galactose and galacturia always found in rats on rations containing as much as 25% galactose,1 raises the question as to the efficiency of the utilization of this sugar for muscular work. A brief study of this problem was made possible by the loan of some revolving exercise cages. The rations were those previously reported and were fed ad lib.Littermates on the 25% galactose diet were divided between stationary and exercise cages as were control animals from the respective litters on a similar diet containing glucose in place of galactose. Exercise was entirely voluntary and the number of revolutions per week was recorded. Basal caloric requirement was calculated from body weight according to the formula of Diack2 and caloric intake from food consumed (4.19 cal. per gram).Growth was remarkably constant and similar for all groups, male and female, with and without exercise, and showed no difference due to type of single sugar in the diet. The calculated extra calories consumed above that req...