The N:H2O ratio in the Sprague–Dawley rat and its variation with diet under the conditions of determination of net protein utilization

1. Analytical values are presented for body nitrogen, both on a fresh and dry carcass basis, body water and N to body water ratios for rats, of various ages, of the Sprague–Dawley Strain.2. For 33- and 40-day-old animals, there were significant differences in body composition, including N:H2O ratio, between animals given a protein-free diet and those given protein at the 10% dietary level. For all age groups the N and water percentages were higher in the carcasses of animals given the non-protein diet.3. For all age groups there were significant negative correlations between the percentage of N in the dry carcass and the net dietary protein value (NDpv) of the diet. For 33-, 37- and 40-day old animals there were significant negative correlations between the N content of the fresh carcass and the NDpv of the diet. For 33-day-old animals only, the correlation between N:H2O ratio and NDpv was also highly significant.4. Body N values calculated from N:H2O ratio and from N:body-weight ratio were compared. At all ages, an equally good prediction was obtained from the N:body-weight ration as from the N:H2O ratio provided that the correct factors were used for animals given the non-protein and test diets.