Role of gastrointestinal microflora in nitrogen and mineral balances in young mice fed on autoclaved and irradiated diets.

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Abstract
Male germ-free (GF) and conventional (CV) mice were fed on steam-sterilized (autoclaved for 30 min at 121.degree. C) and .gamma. irradiation-sterilized (5 Mrad with 60Co) diets for a 1-week adjustment period from 4 wk of age. During the subsequent week, the amounts of feed eaten were determined, and the feces and urine were collected daily. The effects of the mode of diet sterilization and intestinal microflora on the feed consumption, body weight gain, feed efficiency (body weight gain/feed consumption), feed N efficiency (body weight gain/feed N consumption), and the excretion, absorption and retention of N, Ca, Mg and P and the bone deposits of these minerals were investigated.