The relation between food intake and abomasal emptying and small intestinal transit time in sheep

Abstract

1. The relation between the level of food intake and gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow in the abomasum and small intestine was studied in sheep fitted with nichrome-wire electrodes in the gut wall, an abomasal and a duodenal catheter and a terminal ileal cannula.2. Abomasal volume and outflow were calculated from CrEDTA dilution in six sheep and small intestinal transit time by the passage of Phenol Red in ten sheep.3. The frequency of the migrating myoelectric complex of the small intestine was not altered by the level of food intake but the duration of the periods of irregular spiking activity, the amplitude of abomasal activity and the frequency of duodenal rushes were decreased as the level of food intake was decreased.4. There was a linear relation between the level of food intake (FI) and abomasal outflow (mean with SEM:327 (69) ml/h for each kg FI/d; P < 0.01), and abomasal volume (mean with SEM: 344 (50) ml/kg FI per d ; P < 0.001), without any significant change in the half-time of marker dilution in the abomasum. Small intestinal transit time decreased with an increase in food intake (mean with SEM: -54.9 (5.6) min/kg FI per d ; P < 0.001). 5.It is concluded that abomasal volume and the rate of digesta flow from the abomasum and along the small intestine are linearly related to the level of food intake.

Use of the d-Xylose Absorption Test to Measure Abomasal Emptying Rate in Healthy Lactating Holstein-Friesian Cows and in Cows with Left Displaced Abomasum or Abomasal Volvulus

“…Previous estimates of dilution half-time with Cobalt-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid were 15 minutes in Swedish Red and White cattle 66 and 17 to 42 minutes in ewe lambs, 34 30 to 45 minutes in adult dairy cattle with phenol red, 26 and 60 minutes in adult cross-bred sheep by scintigraphy. 67 An earlier study that used 51 Cr to measure abomasal emptying rate in cattle and goats found emptying half-times of 11 and 20 minutes, respectively 68 ; however, both emptying rates appear to be too fast because of methodologic issues related to redistribution of 51 Cr within the abomasum rather than emptying.…”

“…With these 2 assumptions, the relationship between abomasal luminal D-xylose concentration and time can be expressed as Initial nonlinear regression analysis and the results of studies in nonlactating dairy cows, 32 Jersey cows, 33 and ewe lambs 34 indicated that complete mixing of a marker in the ruminant abomasum requires at least 20 minutes. The 15-minute abomasal fluid samples therefore were excluded from nonlinear regression analysis.…”

Effects of solid feed level and roughage-to-concentrate ratio on ruminal drinking and passage kinetics of milk replacer, concentrates, and roughage in veal calves

“…In the current study, a large contrast in MR intake was observed between treatments, with LSF 50:50 calves receiving the largest amounts of MR and HSF 20:80 receiving the lowest amounts of MR. In ruminants, abomasal volume and the rate of digesta flow from the abomasum and along the small intestine are linearly related to the level of intake (Gregory et al, 1985). For MR, abomasal emptying rate is negatively related to meal volumes (Bell and Razig, 1973).…”

The ‘minute rhythm’ incidence in the ovine abomasal antrum and small intestine

“…It can be partially linked with the arrival of the pyloric waves transporting the digesta to the duodenal bulb towards the distal duodenum (Gregory et al, 1985;Fioramonti & Bueno, 1988;Houghton et al, 1988;Lüdtke et al, 1991). Efficient transport of acidified chyme through the gastroduodenal junction is desired to stimulate duodenal controlling mechanisms responsible for the intestinal phase of the gastroduodenal motility and secretion.…”