Regulation of Intake and Utilization of Carbohydrates by Meadow Voles

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Abstract
The objective of this research was to provide information concerning carbohydrate utilization and intake regulatory systems in the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Adult voles were provided with a commercial rat-mouse-hamster maintenance diet and offered a test diet for a 30-minute feeding trial twice daily. The test diets contained various concentrations of either glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, dextrin, corn starch, rice starch, potato starch or sodium saccharin mixed with a commercial fiber preparation (Alphacel). The same carbohydrates were also evaluated in a study with weanling voles during a 6-day growth period. In the short-term feeding trials with adults, there was a low intake of Alphacel which was improved by the addition of sodium saccharin or a sugar. The intake of each sugar was similar but less than either dextrin, rice or corn starch, which was less than potato starch. Opposite results were obtained in the 6-day growth test with weanlings in which the intake and growth rates were greatest for the sugars and least for potato and high amylose type corn starches. We concluded that short-term (individual meal) intakes by voles are regulated in part by a gastrointestinal-fill and either a glucose or energy control system. Intake limitations by gastrointestinal-fill may be altered (within limits) by the digestibility and palatability of the diets. Potato starch was not readily digested, but was highly palatable to voles. The sugars, particularly sucrose, provided a more useful source of carbohydrate for growth than did starches for voles. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.