PMID: 8585806Jan 1, 1995Paper

Age dependent variation of caecal contents composition of young rabbits

Archiv für Tierernährung
F PiattoniD I Demeyer

Abstract

In order to study the age dependent variation of caecal contents composition, a young rabbit was slaughtered out of 6 conventional litters at the age of 22; 25; 28; 32; 36; 42 and 56 days. Rabbits were fed a standard diet before and after weaning (at 28 days of age). Daily growth and caecum size were determined. Caecal contents were analyzed for dry matter (DM), pH, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ribonucleic acid (RNA), lactate, ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Between 22 and 25 days of age, a highly significant drop in CP content was found, associated with an increase in NDF content. RNA values tended to decrease with age, but it is striking that the RNA/CP ratio suggests that about 50% of CP is microbial N, very early in the development (22 days). No significant changes of ammonia nitrogen concentration with age were observed, and lactic acid concentration showed some significant changes, suggestive of a decrease after weaning. Total VFA concentration is suggestive of a progressive and significant (P < 0.01) increase reaching a plateau after 42 days (83.7 mmoles/kg). Molar proportions of propionate and butyrate varied significantly (P < 0.001) and inversely with age. Propionate drops by nea...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1977·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·C J Van Nevel, D I Demeyer
Jan 1, 1980·Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin. Reihe B. Journal of veterinary medicine. Series B·L Prohászka
Jan 1, 1992·The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy·F L WaideM Dimitroff

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Citations

Feb 2, 2010·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·M H MartignonT Gidenne
Nov 24, 2004·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Nadia Bennegadi-LaurentDominique Licois

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