The measurement of milk intake in the neonatal guinea pig

Journal Article · · Growth, Development and Aging; (USA)

OSTI ID:6142753

Weaver, L T; Roberts, S B ^[1]

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1. Medical Research Council, Cambridge (England)

Study of the effects of enteral nutrition on neonatal growth and development has been hindered by lack of a suitable model. An isotope dilution method for the measurement of milk intake in suckling rodents was evaluated in 13 hand-fed neonatal guinea pigs, by comparing milk intakes determined using 3H20 with intakes determined by difference in weight before and after feeding. The effects of two experimental durations (1 or 2-3 days) on the accuracy and precision of the method was assessed. Weighted milk intakes were 18 -26 g/day, and body weight changes were -7% - +12% of initial weight. There was no significant difference between milk intakes determined using the two methods for both 1 and 2-3 day comparisons. However, the coefficients of variation for 1 and 2-3 day measurements were 24.4% and 5.5%, respectively. These values are equivalent to precisions of approximately 10% and 2% for estimates of total milk output in a rodent suckling 8 pups. It is concluded that the 3H20 method is no less accurate or precise than the weighing method for 2-3 day measurements of milk intake in individual pups and milk production of dams. These findings strengthen the use of the precocial guinea pig as a model for the study of the effects of early feeding on growth, development and aging.

• OSTI ID: 6142753
• Journal Information: Growth, Development and Aging; (USA), Journal Name: Growth, Development and Aging; (USA) Vol. 54:1-2; ISSN 1041-1232; ISSN GDAGE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550501* -- Metabolism-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
FOOD
GROWTH
GUINEA PIGS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTAKE
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPE DILUTION
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METABOLISM
MILK
NEONATES
NUTRITION
RODENTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES