Abstract
A device for intragastric nutrition of unsedated and minimally restrained rats under complete alimentary abstinence has been developed. The cannulation system consists of an infusion pump, modified glass syringe as flow swivel, rat-harness and a silicone-tube-gastrostomy. The animals were kept in special cages and coprophagy was prevented by an own model of faecal collection cup.
Methionine and Ca-glycerophosphate had to be added to a commercial elementary diet. The rats were allowed to move freely during intragastric infusion, which was applied for 14 to 28 days in 118 Wistar-rats (350-400 g). They maintained weight on an energy supply of 86·4 kcal/day.