Metabolic changes in rats fed a low protein diet during post-weaning growth.

Metabolic changes in rats fed a low protein diet were investigated during 3 weeks after weaning using lactalbumin (LP) as dietary protein source. The energy intake was higher and the weight gain lower in rats fed the low protein diet (6%, LP group) than in control rats (13% lactalbumin, C group). Low protein diet induced no changes in plasma glucose, free fatty acids, or triacylglycerol concentrations; however, plasma protein and urea concentrations were lower in LP than in C rats.