DIETARY-INTAKE, ENERGY-METABOLISM, AND EXCRETORY LOSSES OF ADULT MALE GERMFREE WISTAR RATS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (1) , 46-50
Abstract
Adult germ-free rats excreted 87% more calories with the feces than did comparable conventional rats, but this loss was compensated by an 18% higher intake. As a result, energy utilization of germ-free and conventional rats was similar (148 and 143 kcal/kg per day, respectively), although the germ-free rat metabolized only 71.9% of its dietary intake, vs. the conventional rat''s 80%. Germ-free rats consumed 33% more water than conventional rats. Both excreted .apprx. 33% of water intake via feces and urine, but the germ-free rat excreted 56% of this with the feces and the conventional rat only 15%. Cecectomy of the germ-free rat reduced water loss via the feces, but the total daily excretion of fecal dry matter remained comparable to that of the intact germ-free rat. The increase in fecal dry matter excretion demonstrated by the germ-free rat can be largely accounted for in terms of water-soluble organic material. The lower O2 consumption of the germ-free rat is not coupled to a reduction in metabolized energy, but may be an anomaly linked to cecal stasis and enlargement.