Abstract
Simple SummaryGuinea pigs are frequently used in gastrointestinal research, but knowledge on basic parameters connected with gastrointestinal physiological functions, including feed intake, fecal pellet output (FPO) and intestinal transit time, is incomplete. Recording such parameters in single- and pair-housed guinea pigs over 24 h revealed that they exhibit a diurnal feeding behavior, with peaks during the beginning and end of the light period, and FPO mirroring periods, with a defecation break during the night. In addition, we assessed transit time with a non-absorbable marker, counting approximately 5 h. Our findings can help to build a baseline data basis, important in the field of functional gastrointestinal animal physiology.Guinea pigs are a traditional and frequently used species in gastrointestinal research. Comprehensive knowledge of basic parameters connected with their intestinal function, such as feed intake, fecal pellet output and gastrointestinal transit time, is important for evaluating results from basic gastrointestinal research that may be applied to practical problems in human and veterinary medicine, for example, when establishing diagnostic tools. Our study revealed that over a 24-h period, single-housed guinea pigs showed a continual but day-accentuated feeding activity, consuming 57% of the total feed during the light period, with pronounced peaks of feed intake during the beginning and end of the light period. This was mirrored by fecal pellet output during the light period and almost no defecation during the dark period, while potential coprophagy not measured in this study needs to be considered. A highly comparable feeding activity was recorded in pair-housed guinea pigs, with 60% of overall feed intake within the light period, indicating that such differences in housing conditions did not influence guinea pigs’ feeding behavior. Intestinal transit time was successfully recorded by oral administration of carmine red and counted 5 h on average. Hence, this study provides important information on the basic functional parameters of guinea pigs’ gastrointestinal tract physiology.
Highlights
IntroductionWith respect to the significant effect of periodic feeding behavior/energy intake on intermediary metabolism (for review, see [7]) and the concept of diurnality in intestinal motility [8], knowledge on basic data related to gastrointestinal functions is critical for proper evaluation of study results
Data of interest connected with gastrointestinal physiological functions are, amongst others, feed intake (FI), fecal pellet output (FPO) and whole intestinal transit time
The results of the present study provide baseline physiological data on intestinal functions in the guinea pig
Summary
With respect to the significant effect of periodic feeding behavior/energy intake on intermediary metabolism (for review, see [7]) and the concept of diurnality in intestinal motility [8], knowledge on basic data related to gastrointestinal functions is critical for proper evaluation of study results. This accounts for both basic research and, e.g., preclinical studies during drug development [9]. Using carmine red represents a method that is less stressful (no prior fasting is required) and less expensive (no complex measuring equipment needed) compared to the techniques in the cited studies
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