Digestion and Absorption in the Hindgut of Ruminants

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Abstract
The importance of the large intestine in the nutrition of the ruminant is becoming more evident. The volume of contents, which varies with intake, can be equivalent to 20% of the volume of contents in the rumen. In addition, retention times of ingesta in the large intestine of 10 to 29 hr have been reported. This volume and flow represent a sizeable capacity for fermentation, which can account for as much as 27% of the cellulose and 40% of the hemicellulose digested daily. The resultant volatile fatty acid production can account for 8 to 17% of the total produced daily, and in addition to the energy provided to the animal, the volatile fatty acids may provide the energy for Na transport during adsorption of this element from the large intestine. The hindgut is a major site for Na absorption, and in addition absorbs large quantitites of water and variable percentages of K, Ca, P, Co, Mn, Mg, Cu and Zn. Ammonia absorption from the hindgut has been shown to contribute 39% of the total NPN absorbed into body fluids, and is probably a major source of nitrogen recycled to the rumen. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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