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Effect of D ‐mannitol on nitrogen retention, fiber digestibility and digesta transit time in adult rabbits
Author(s) -
Min Xiao,
Li Xiao,
Hiura Shouko,
Kawasaki Kiyonori,
Xiao Jin,
Sakaguchi Ei
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12041
Subject(s) - mannitol , excretion , chemistry , feces , nitrogen balance , retention time , urine , zoology , nitrogen , biochemistry , biology , chromatography , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
The aim of the current study was to elucidate the effect of gastrointestinal retention time of digesta on fiber digestibility in adult rabbits fed indigestible, but fermentable, sugar D ‐mannitol. Six adult rabbits were fed alternately a commercial diet containing 5% glucose and a diet containing D ‐mannitol. Total feces and urine were collected during the experimental period. Nitrogen ( N ) balance, digestibility of nutrients, and gastrointestinal mean retention time ( MRT ) were measured. The results indicated that urinary excretion was significantly lowered, whereas N retention and N accumulation rates were significantly increased in the D ‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group ( P < 0.05). However, fecal N excretion was unaffected. Absorption of crude ash ( CA ) and acid detergent fiber ( ADF ) digestibility were significantly higher in the D ‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group ( P < 0.05). The addition of D ‐mannitol to the diet did not affect the MRT of liquid digesta, but increased the MRT of solid digesta compared with the glucose group ( P < 0.05). These results suggest that the addition of D ‐mannitol to the diet stimulates cecal bacterial growth, thereby increasing N utilization and digesta retention time.