Amino acid, mineral and vitamin levels in hydrous faeces obtained from coprophagy-prevented rats

Amino acid, mineral and vitamin levels in hydrous faeces obtained from coprophagy-prevented rats were examined. Two experiments were conducted with rats of different age, 4 weeks and 10 weeks. Six rats each were fed under coprophagy-prevented and coprophagy-allowed (conventional feeding) conditions, respectively. In the first experiment using 4-week-old rats, amino acid values were determined for hydrous faeces and usual faeces obtained in the above-mentioned conditions. In the second experiment using 10-week-old rats, mineral values were determined for both types of faeces. Vitamin values were determined in both experiments. In a comparison of amino acid values and their patterns, specific kinds of amino acids in hydrous faeces were not recognized as growth factors. Sodium and potassium levels in hydrous faeces were significantly higher than those for usual faeces, but those levels were 1/(18-20) of those derived from feed. Although cyanocobalamin and folic acid levels in hydrous faeces were two to three times higher than those for usual faeces, folic acid supplements from coprophagy were 1/8 of those derived from feed. Cyanocobalamin supplements from hydrous faeces were five times larger than those from feed. Therefore, it appears that cyanocobalamin was supplied by the ingestion of hydrous faeces and that this cyanocobalamin supports conventional growth in rats.