Influence of Raw and Whole Dried Liver on Food Consumption and Utilization.

Abstract

In experiments described by Smith1 it was shown that liver tissue extracted with alcohol until fat-free has a biological value inferior to that of whole liver, as shown by a subnormal growth rate. In the present experiments an attempt was made to gain information as to the manner in which whole liver exerts its favorable influence. A combination of the efficiency quotient method of Palmer and Kennedy2 and the paired-feeding method used by Mitchell and Carman3 was used. Male albino rats on a complete diet containing 20% extracted liver, 1 supplemented by 0.5 gm. of dried whole liver or 1.5 gm. of raw liver daily, and whose food intake was limited to that of control animals, grew at a faster rate and had lower efficiency quotients than did the controls. Animals receiving the supplements and having no restrictions in food intake consumed more food, but made greater gains and had somewhat lower efficiency quotients than those whose food intake was limited. When the diet was supplemented with an equivalent amo...