Digestive organs, caecal metabolites and fermentation pattern in coypus (Myocastor coypus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

• Published in: Acta veterinaria Brno Vol. 74; no. 1
• Main Authors: Marounek, M.(Akademie Ved, Prague (Czech Republic). Ustav Zivocisne Fyziologie a Genetiky)E-mail:marounek@iapg.cas.cz, Skrivan, M.(Vyzkumny Ustav Zivocisne Vyroby, Prague (Czech Republic)), Brezina, P.(Univerzita Tomase Bati, Zlin (Czech Republic). Fakulta Technologicka), Hoza, I.(Univerzita Tomase Bati, Zlin (Czech Republic). Fakulta Technologicka)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACETIC ACID; ACIDE ACETIQUE; ACIDE BUTYRIQUE; ACIDE LACTIQUE; ACIDE PROPIONIQUE; ACIDO ACETICO; ACIDO BUTIRICO; ACIDO LACTICO; ACIDO PROPIONICO; AMMONIA; AMMONIAC; AMONIACO; ANIMAL NUTRITION; BUTYRIC ACID; COIPO; CONEJO (ORYCTOLAGUS); CONTENIDO DE MATERIA SECA; COYPUS; DIGESTA; DIGESTION; DRY MATTER CONTENT; ESTOMAC; ESTOMAGO; FERMENTACION; FERMENTATION; GASES; GAZ; HIDROGENO; HYDROGEN; HYDROGENE; INTESTIN; INTESTINES; INTESTINOS; LACTIC ACID; LAPIN (ORYCTOLAGUS); METANO; METHANE; NUTRICION ANIMAL; NUTRITION ANIMALE; PESO; POIDS; PROPIONIC ACID; RABBITS; RAGONDIN; STOMACH; TENEUR EN MATIERE SECHE; WEIGHT
• ISSN: 0001-7213

Six coypus and six rabbits fed the same granulated feed ad libitum were slaughtered, digestive organs with their contents weighed and digesta samples analyzed. The caecum was the largest digestive organ in both animal species. The weight of stomach was greater and that of the small intestine smaller in rabbits than in coypus (135 and 89 vs. 85 and 111 g, resp.). Gastric acidity, caecal and colonic dry matter concentrations were significantly higher in rabbits. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia concentrations in the caecal contents of coypus and rabbits were similar. Molar percentages of acetate and propionate were significantly higher and percentage of butyrate lower in coypus than in rabbits. Caecal microorganisms of coypus produced more propionate and methane, and less butyrate and valerate than caecal microbes of rabbits (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, caecal fermentation pattern differed more than other parameters investigated.