Energy balance in subcutaneous melanoma-bearing mice

Energy balance of control and melanoma-bearing mice was determined after 15 days of controlled food intake. Body and tumor energy contents were evaluated after preparing the materials for bomb calorimetry. Neither energy intake nor expenditure was different between control and melanoma mice. Body energy gain was lower in melanoma mice, but including tumor energy both groups had similar energy gain during the experimental period. It is concluded that a two-week skin melanoma did not seriously affect the energy balance of mice, and that tumor growth was achieved by utilizing body energy without promoting any increase in energy intake.