Demaux G, Gallouin F, Guemon L, Papantonakis C
Reprod Nutr Dev (1980). 1980;20(5B):1651-9.
To determine the effects of suppressing coprophagy in the rabbit over a long period, we performed two experiments. In the first (Experiment A), the rabbits wore round, plastic collars 12.5 cm in diameter for 45 days. Each week we measured the food intake and the weight of the rabbits, glycemia, lactacidemia (l and d) and three VFA (acetic, propionic and butyric). Food intake and rabbit weight decreased slowly during the 45 days, while glycemia and lactacidemia were unchanged. The amounts of acetic and propionic acids were higher in the experimental animals than in the sham ones; opposite results were obtained for butyric acid. Skin lesions were seen around the eyes and in the ears. These lesions regressed very quickly when the collar was removed. The weight loss may be imputed to the presence of the lesions, collar stress and the 10 ml blood samples collected weekly. In the second experiment (B), the collar was worn for 120 days and we measured only food intake and body weight. In those conditions, the pattern was very different. The animals did not lose weight, but the weight gain was slower than in sham rabbits. It is concluded that coprophagy is not necessary for rabbit survival.
为了确定长期抑制家兔食粪行为的影响，我们进行了两项实验。在第一项实验（实验A）中，家兔佩戴直径12.5厘米的圆形塑料项圈，持续45天。每周我们测量家兔的食物摄入量、体重、血糖、乳酸血症（l型和d型）以及三种挥发性脂肪酸（乙酸、丙酸和丁酸）。在这45天里，食物摄入量和家兔体重缓慢下降，而血糖和乳酸血症没有变化。实验动物体内乙酸和丙酸的含量高于假手术组动物；丁酸的情况则相反。在眼睛周围和耳朵处出现了皮肤损伤。取下项圈后，这些损伤很快就消退了。体重减轻可能归因于损伤的存在、项圈压力以及每周采集的10毫升血样。在第二项实验（实验B）中，佩戴项圈的时间为120天，我们只测量了食物摄入量和体重。在这些条件下，情况非常不同。动物没有体重减轻，但体重增加比假手术组家兔慢。结论是，食粪行为对于家兔的生存并非必要。
