Litter size (A), litter mass (B), gross energy intake (GEI, C) and resting metabolic rate (RMR, D) in striped hamsters during peak lactation.

<p>LS = 1, 4 and 8, the females raising 1, 4 and 8 pups throughout lactation. *, significant effect of litter size (<i>P</i><0.05), **, <i>P</i><0.01. Different letters (a, b or c) above the columns indicate significant difference between the groups (<i>P</i><0.05).