Physiological Studies on Digestion In Some Egyptian Field Rats

This investigation was done in the department of physiology, Faculty of Verterinary Medicine (Moihtohor),Zagazig University (Benha) during the period extended fromFebruary, 1991 up to April, 1992.The object of the study was to Clarify some physiolog- ical aspects of digestion in field Egyptian rats.This with further studies will’ enable us to combate this harmfulpest.The results obtained are :1- The incidence of wild rats in Moshtohor and Shebin ElKanater localities, Kaluobia tgovernorate was Rattusrattus 43%, Rattus norvegicus 24%, Mus musculus 19%,and the Acomys cahininus 14%. However, the Arvicanthusniloticus type was not detected.2- Gross anatomy and morphology showed similar structureand organs like albino rat.3-The dose required to induce anaesthesia in Rattus rattuswas 30-35 mg/kg of thiopental sodium while the dose ofpilocarpine nitrate to induce salivation was 5-7 mg/kg.These doses were higher than that of albino rat. 4- The hydrogen ion concentration of saliva was 6.76, ofgastric juice was 3.69, of duodenal contents was 6.06and that of blood 7.52. These values are lower thanthat of albino rats.