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Author (up) Crowell-Davis, S.L.; Houpt, K.A. openurl 
  Title Coprophagy by foals: effect of age and possible functions Type Journal Article
  Year 1985 Publication Equine veterinary journal Abbreviated Journal Equine Vet J  
  Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 17-19  
  Keywords *Aging; Animals; *Coprophagia; Deoxycholic Acid/physiology; Female; Horse Diseases/*physiopathology; Horses; Humans; Male; Pheromones/physiology; Time Factors; Urination  
  Abstract In colts and fillies observed from birth to 24 weeks old, coprophagy occurred from Weeks 1 to 19. Its frequency was greatest during the first two months. Coprophagy was rarely observed in mares and stallions. Foals usually ate the faeces of their mother but were observed to eat their own and those of a stallion and another unrelated mare. Urination by the foal occurred before, during or after 26 per cent of the coprophagy incidents. It is hypothesised that foals may consume faeces in response to a maternal pheromone which signals the presence of deoxycholic acid or other acids which the foal may be deficient in and which it may require for gut immuno-competence myelination of the nervous system. Such a pheromone may also serve to accelerate growth and sexual maturation. Coprophagy may also provide nutrients and introduce normal bacterial flora to the gut.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0425-1644 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes PMID:4038939 Approved no  
  Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 55  
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