Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs

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Abstract
Seven pigs of 30 kg initial live weight were fitted with re-entrant cannulas in the terminal ileum. Each was fed, in succession, 4 purified diets having cellulose and Na levels (g/kg) of 30 and 2.7, 30 and 0.9, 90 and 2.7 or 90 and 0.9, respectively. Collections of digesta (24 h) and 3 or 4 day collections of feces were made. There was a greater output of ileal digesta with the high-cellulose diets than with the low-cellulose diets, mainly due to increased water content, and there was a concomitant reduction in the net absorption of Na from the small intestine. The immediate response to reduced Na intake was increased secretion of Na into the gut lumen anterior to the terminal ileum; this was more pronounced with the high-cellulose diet. Na concentrations in ileal digesta were very similar for all 4 diets. The apparent absorptions of Ca, P, Mg, K and Zn were reduced by the high-cellulose diets. In each instance this was due to reduced absorption posterior to the terminal ileum.