Abstract
1. 1.|The effect of temperature on caecal function was examined in the naked mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber, a poikilothermic mammal, which consumes a high proportion of fibre in its natural diet. 2. 2.|The temperature of optimal caecal function was determined from fermentation data measure at three specifically chosen temperatures (28, 33 and 40°C). 3. 3.|There was no significant difference between gas production at 33 and 40°C, however, gas production was significantly lower at 28°C. 4. 4.|The relative proportions of the gases produced were markedly different at 33 and 40°C (P ≤ 0.01). More methane and hydrogen were produced at 33°C than at 40°C. 5. 5.|These data suggest that microbial organisms within the caecum were active and functioning more effectively at 33°C (the preferred body temperature of the naked mole-rat) than at the other two temperatures.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 345-349 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Thermal Biology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1991 |
Keywords
- Caecal fermentation
- Heterocephalus glaber
- gas production
- hind gut
- naked mole-rat
- temperature effects
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Developmental Biology