Effect of a feeding schedule on crypt cell proliferation in the small intestine of the rat

Using a stathmokinetic technique, the mitotic rate in the small intestinal crypts of two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. The first group was fed solids for 3 h daily only. The second group was fed solids ad libitum. In the first group it was found that the mean daily weight of food consumed rose quickly to normal 24-hour levels but the mean daily weight of the rats fell rapidly and did not approach the original level throughout the experiment. There was no significant difference in the mitotic rate of the small intestinal crypt cells between the two groups.