A simple method for prevention of coprophagy in the mouse.

A series of studies of coprophagy in mice has been conducted from the viewpoints of behaviour and nutrition. Since it was necessary to prevent coprophagy to investigate its significance, an attempt was made to devise a restrainer. A polyethylene bottle was cut and fixed to the mouse so as to prevent its head from reaching its anus when faeces were excreted. The animals were also housed in cages with floors of larger mesh size in order to let the faeces fall through.