Figure 3. The efficacy of antibiotic administration is shown by successful reduction of colony forming units of bacteria in the absence of gross physiological changes such as a reduction in body weight gain.

Figure 3A shows colony forming units of bacteria cultured on nutrient agar were significantly reduced in rats receiving antibiotic treatment. Although many species of commensal bacteria cannot be cultured on nutrient agar, the reduction produced by antibiotics is indicative of successful depletion of commensal bacteria by antibiotics, as neither the agar or the antibiotic regimen are specific for any particular group of bacteria. (*p<0.05). Figure 3B : depicts body weight changes across antibiotic treatment regimen. Body weights increased in all groups across time and were unaffected by antibiotic treatment. (*p<0.05).