Biomaterial Database

Feeding and excretion in the Afghan pika (Ochotona rufescens rufescens), a new laboratory animal. 1981

T Matsuzawa, and M Nakata, and M Tsushima

Food and water intake and the excretion of urine and faecal pellets during the day (0500-2100) and at night (2100-0500) were observed in Afghan pikas, rats and guineapigs fed appropriate diets. Urine composition was observed in these species after they had been fed the pika diet for 4 weeks. Rats ate more at night than did pikas or guineapigs. The pikas excreted numerous small, hard faeces and soft faeces, the latter being reingested. On the pika diet all species gained about 10% in bodyweight. Food consumption was similar to that shown by each species on its own diet. All animals fed the pika diet excreted alkaline urine. Chloride concentration in pika urine was similar to that of the rat and was significantly higher than that of the guineapig. The ratio of sodium to potassium in pika urine was 2.8 and 1.7 fold that of the rat and guineapig respectively. Osmolality of pika urine was slightly higher than that of the rat, and was 3.8 fold that of the guineapig.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007793	Lagomorpha	An order of small mammals comprising two families, Ochotonidae (pikas) and Leporidae (RABBITS and HARES). Head and body length ranges from about 125 mm to 750 mm. Hares and rabbits have a short tail, and the pikas lack a tail. Rabbits are born furless and with both eyes and ears closed. HARES are born fully haired with eyes and ears open. All are vegetarians. (From Nowak, Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p539-41)	Ochotona,Pikas,Lagomorphs,Leporidae,Ochotonidae,Lagomorph,Pika
D008297	Male		Males
D008322	Mammals	Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young.	Mammalia,Mammal
D009994	Osmolar Concentration	The concentration of osmotically active particles in solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution. Osmolality is expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent.	Ionic Strength,Osmolality,Osmolarity,Concentration, Osmolar,Concentrations, Osmolar,Ionic Strengths,Osmolalities,Osmolar Concentrations,Osmolarities,Strength, Ionic,Strengths, Ionic
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D003672	Defecation	The normal process of elimination of fecal material from the RECTUM.	Bowel Function,Bowel Movement,Bowel Functions,Bowel Movements,Defecations
D004326	Drinking	The consumption of liquids.	Water Consumption,Water Intake,Drinkings
D004435	Eating	The consumption of edible substances.	Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia