Effects of dietary protein level on growth and body composition in mice divergently selected for fat content

A study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary protein percentage and selection for divergence in fat content on growth and body composition in mice. The three lines used had been selected as follows: high epididymal fat pad weight as a percentage of body weight (HF), low epididymal fat pad weight as a percentage of body weight (LF) and a randomly selected control (RC). Mice from each line were allotted at weaning (3 wk of age) to one of four dietary protein percentages: 12, 16, 20, and 24%. Growth and efficiency of feed conversion were measured at 2-wk intervals and mice were killed and body composition was measured at 9-wk of age. Overall, HF mice grew faster were more efficient at converting feed to body weight gain, and had empty carcasses with a higher percentage of tat (P