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  • Title: Simplified preparation of a refined milk formula comparable to rat's milk: influence of the formula on development of the gut and brain in artificially reared rat pups.
    Author: Kanno T, Koyanagi N, Katoku Y, Yonekubo A, Yajima T, Kuwata T, Kitagawa H, Harada E.
    Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr; 1997 Mar; 24(3):242-52. PubMed ID: 9138167.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Milk formulas for artificially reared (AR) rat pups are mostly based on complex cow's milk products, prepared by laborious and time-consuming processes. The aim of this study was to develop a simplified procedure for preparing a refined formula and to examine its influences on gut and brain development. METHODS: The formula comprised a combination of purified cow's casein and whey proteins, five kinds of edible oil, minerals, and vitamins. Detailed analyses showed that the composition of macro- and micro-nutrients, osmolarity, and pH of the new formula closely resembled those of rat's milk. Rat pups, each with an intragastric cannula implanted at age 5 days, were artificially reared for the following 10-15 days. RESULTS: The body weight gain of AR pups matched that of mother-reared (MR) pups. Histoplanimetrical analyses showed that the small intestine in AR pups was more developed in relation to area of a transverse section, number and length of villi, and thickness of tunica muscularis than that of MR pups. Fat components in the formula influenced the fatty acid composition and the cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio in the small intestinal microvillus membrane (MVM) of AR pups, but not the MVM fluidity. Brain weight was not significantly different between the two groups at age 15-20 days. CONCLUSION: This formula is useful for artificial rearing of rats and for identifying dietary components contributing to metabolic adaptation during the suckling period.
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