Abstract
This study was conducted to examine the effect of ground and steam-treated bagasse on growth, reproduction and the weight of internal organs (stomach, small intestine, large intestine, cecum, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lung and testis) in mice. Experimental groups (male and female) were given a diet containing nine parts by weight of a commercial standerd diet and one part by weight of steam-treated bagasse. Control groups (male and female) received the standard diet alone. The growth of mice from 3 wk to 10 wk of age did not significantly differ between experimental and control groups in the first generation, In the second generation, however, the growth rate during the period from 2 to 4 wk of age was lower in the experimental groups than in the control groups for both female and male. Tissue weights at 10wk of age were not significantly different between groups in the first generation. However, in the second generation, the large intestine of male mice and large intestine of female mice were heavier in the experimental groups than in the control groups. The delivering rate and the survival rate till 3 wk after birth were 100% in both groups over two generation, and the litter size did not differ between groups. Present results suggest that steam-treated bagasse is available as a source of fiber for mono-gastric animals.
