Abstract
Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are present in the small intestine of mice and rats. It is not clear whether this presence is due to a stable colonisation or to reinfection by coprophagy. To answer this question the effect of preventing coprophagy on SFBs was studied in mice. Two parameters were determined as general indicators for a normal microecological state of the small intestine: the relative caecal weight and the percentage of caecal fusiform shaped bacteria. Prevention of coprophagy executed by means of a polyethylene ‘restrainer’ and a wire mesh resulted in a slight increase in the colonisation of SFBs (significant in small intestine section 8; p < 0.012). The number of SFBs per 100 bacteria showed an increase in section 8 compared to mice with a restrainer, but which were housed on sawdust ( p < 0.032). No effects were seen on the relative caecal weight and the percentage of fusiform shaped bacteria in the caecum. Keywords: Intestinal bacteria; Colonisation; Mouse.
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