Cecal Enlargement, Cardiac Output, and O2 Consumption in Germfree Rats

Germ free rats have cardiac output and O2 consumption values respectively 30% and 24% lower than found in comparable conventional rats. Surgical removal of the enlarged cecum typical for these animals resulted in cardiac output values similar to those obtained with conventional rats, while O2 consumption increased significantly to levels only slightly lower than seen in the conventional control group. No significant difference in body temperature was found between comparable groups of germfree and conventional rats.