Abstract
In studies of rat coprophagy, feces classification was never successfully undertaken until 1997 when we described two types of feces, usual and hydrous or reingested feces. After identifying feces, those nutritional compositions were compared. Hydrous feces had higher amino acid values than usual feces, although with no specific pattern. Sodium and potassium values were 2.5 times larger in hydrous feces than in usual feces, accounting for only 5% of the feed-derived amount. Vitamin B_<12> and folic acid values in hydrous feces were higher than in usual feces, with vitamin B_<12> values 5 times larger than those of feed-derived sources. Caecectomy failed to prevent coprophagy although it affected vitamin B_<12> and folic acid values. Caecectomized rats grew normally with little increase in feed intake although not enough to support vitamin B_<12> intake. Moreover, cobalt intake also was not enough to support vitamin B_<12> synthesis. Further studies about coprophagy in rats are needed.
