The ability to predict weight gain, individual organ weight, and corresponding food intake in the rat by the four-parameter model for physiological responses.

The applicability of the four-parameter model for physiological responses to the prediction of food intake and corresponding weight gain and individual organ weight gain was studied further in 40-day postpartum male rats. Seven groups of animals were maintained on diets in which protein content ranged from 0 to 23.54% casein. Food intake and weight gain were recorded every other day for each animal for 21 days. At the termination of the experiment the following organs were removed and weighed: liver, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, and testes. When these weight values are fitted by use of the four-parameter model, food intake and total animal and organ weight gains can be predicted in relation to the amount of protein in the diet. It was found that liver, heart, lungs, spleen, and whole animal had similar K(0.5) values. However, it was also shown that there is variation in response of organs when relating organ weight as a percentage of body weight. For example, heart, lungs, and testes show an increased ratio on low protein diet while liver, kidneys, and adrenals maintain a fairly constant ratio and the spleen shows a decreased ratio. Additionally, it was noted that the animals on low protein diet consumed more food per gram body weight but did so at a slower rate. Possible future applications of the four-parameter model for physiological reponses are discussed.