Cage bedding modifies the outcomes of metabolic and microbiota studies

We exposed mice housed on different types of cage beddings (wooden, cellulose or corncob) to ad libitum feeding, caloric restriction (CR) or over-night (ON) fasting. Additionally, two subgroups of the ON fasting group were kept without any bedding or on a metal grid preventing coprophagy. Mice under CR supplemented their diet with a substantial amount of bedding with big variety between the kind of beddings. Bedding-related changes in body weight loss, cecum size, stomach weight, fecal output, blood ghrelin levels as well as a response to glucose oral tolerance test were recorded. Microbiome and metabolome of cecum content was analysed.