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Role of Coprophagy in Utilization of Triglycerides, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus in the Rat¹

Graduate School of Nutrition, Savage Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Absorption and retention of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and digestibility of triolein, tripalmitin and tristearin in conventional rats and in rats prevented from coprophagy were compared. In a 2-week balance study carried out in 180 weanling rats fed three types of triglycerides (triolein, tripalmitin and tristearin) at either 5 or 25% level and three levels of calcium and phosphorus, prevention of coprophagy resulted in a marked depression in growth and a significant reduction in apparent digestibilities of tripalmitin, tristearin, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus (P < 0.01), but did not influence utilization of triolein. Retention of the three minerals, as tested by analysis of the femur, in rats prevented from coprophagy was identical to that of conventional animals. The effect of coprophagy should be considered in digestibility studies.

² Present address: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Manuscript received 5 August 1968.