Problems in estimating the extent of coprophagy in the rat.
The quantity of re-ingested faeces was calculated by comparing faecal dry matter of unrestricted rats and coprophagy-restricted rats after correcting for differences in food intake. Due to high day-to-day variations of produced and re-ingested faeces it was not possible to calculate precisely the extent of coprophagy of an individual rat at a particular day with this difference method. Reliable quantitative estimates require at least two rats and a collection period of 7 d. When fed on a nutritionally complete diet, rats re-ingested 0-11% of their faeces. When fed on low-protein diets (66 g egg albumin/kg) or diets diluted with 200 g cellulose/kg, coprophagy was not significantly increased. A high re-ingestion rate (6-25%) was observed with thiamin and pantothenic acid deficiencies. After re-ingestion of faeces had been prevented for 1 week, the amount of faeces re-ingested during the subsequent week without tail-cups was increased twofold. It is concluded that rats are able to regulate the amount of faeces eaten precisely according to their requirements.
Fajardo
G
G
Universität Hohenheim, Institut für Zoophysiologie, Stuttgart, West Germany.
Hörnicke
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002482:Cellulose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003303:Coprophagia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005502:Food; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D010205:Pantothenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010205:Pantothenic Acid; D002482:Cellulose; D013831:Thiamine