J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1970. 31:733-740.
© 1970 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Soares, J. H.
Right arrow Articles by Larsen, R. K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Soares, J. H.
Right arrow Articles by Larsen, R. K.

Neonatal Lambs in a Gnotobiotic Environment1

J. H. Soares2, E. C. Leffel and R. K. Larsen3

University of Maryland, College Park

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in which eight lambs were isolated into a gnotobiotic environment. Data from these lambs relative to digestive physiology were compared to those from conventional lambs of similar ages. Although the gnotobiotic lambs were generally contaminated by the 42nd day with one or more aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria, strict anaerobes or cellulolytic bacteria were not detected. A digestion trial showed that dry matter digestibility was depressed in both conventional and gnotobiotic lambs when an autoclaved, semi-purified diet was fed. Gnotobiotic lambs could not digest cellulose measured as acid detergent fiber in feed and feces. Slower increases in body weights, and reduced reticuloruminal and papillary development were observed in gnotobiotic lambs.

Ruminal fluids from gnotobiotic lambs contained markedly less total VFA than did those from conventional lambs. Gnotobiotic lambs also had much higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids in their perinephric fat. Average blood glucose levels were higher in the gnotobiotic lambs, however, these differences were small at 8 weeks of age. Serum cholesterol levels were considerably higher in the gnotobiotic lambs during the post-weaning period.

Footnotes

1 Scientific Article No. A1591, Contribution No. 4309 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal Science.

2 Present address: Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, National Center for Fish Protein Concentrate, College Park, Maryland.

3 Department of Animal Science.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1970 by the American Society of Animal Science.