Cardiac output in young adult germfree rats was found to be approximately 30% lower than in conventional controls. Concomitantly, signs of mild hemoconcentration were observed in the germfree group, which may be linked to changed water balance in these animals. The reduced work performance of the heart indicated in the germfree group is associated with the absence of a microbial flora.
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Gordon et al. (1963) studied this question.