Influence of High and Low Saturated Fatty Acid-Based Diets on Weight and Body Composition of Albino Rats (Rattusnorvegicus)

Authors: Folorunso OP, Uzuh FD, Ayeni TS and Abere DV*

DOI: 10.23880/oajmb-16000172

Volume 5, Issue 4

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of feeding high and low saturated fatty acid based diets to feed female albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with a view to evaluating the effects of the fatty diets on the feeding patterns, weight and body composition of the rats. Seven months old female Rattus norvegicus were used for the experiment. The weights of the rats were taken for twelve weeks using Salter balance (Model 250). Four experimental diets were formulated which were made up of 2.5 and 5.0 g of margarine (blue band), 2.5and 5.0 g canola oil each mixed with the basal diet. The control diet was grower feed and the resultant experimental diets were fed to the experimental rats kept in cages at the rate of 12 rats per cage. The rats were fed with the diets at the rate of 3% of body weight for a period of twelve weeks. The highest weight gain was recorded in the group fed with 5.0 g margarine, followed by 5.0 g canola, 2.5 g margarine, 2.5 g canola and least in the rats fed the control. The mean weight gain of the rats fed with 5.0 g margarine and 5.0 g canola were significantly different (p<0.05) from the mean weight of 2.5 g margarine, 2.5 g canola and the control. The food intake of the rats fed 5.0 g margarine and 5.0 g canola was also significantly different (p<0.05) from the food intake of rats fed 2.5 g margarine, 2.5 g canola and the control. The proximate composition of the carcass of the rats fed the different experimental diets showed that fat content of the rats fed 5.0 g margarine was higher than in the rats fed the other diets. The histology of the liver of rats fed 5.0 g margarine and 5.0 g canola showed greater fat accumulation in the rat’s liver compared to rats fed 2.5 g margarine, 2.5 g canola as well as the control. Rats with the highest body weight gain were considered obesity-prone; those with the lowest body weight were regarded as obesity-resistant while others were considered intermediate. The study concluded that the kind of fat consumed contributes to the weight gained by the rats.

Keywords: Rattus Norvegicus; Diets; Weight; Control; Canola; Fat; Histology; Obesity

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