The effect on mice of practical diets containing different protein and energy levels

Mice of 2 strains were fed diets of natural ingredients in 3 different laboratories. The diets, which were fed before and after pelleting, contained levels of protein and energy within the ranges comparable to those found in existing laboratory diets and were the same formulation as those fed to rats in a previous paper. The diet with the lowest energy level supported the lowest rate of bodyweight gain, as it had with rats. Little effect was noticed on food consumption, conversion efficiency or water intake. Animals fed the pelleted diets gained bodyweight faster and there were indications of greater food and water consumption and also food conversion efficiency. It was concluded that food intake was improved with the pelleted diets resulting in the other increases.