Estimation of N Absorption and Secretion by Digesta Exchange between 15N Labelled and Unlabelled Pigs

Abstract Three female pigs (LW∼30 kg) were fitted with re-entrant cannulas in the duodenum and the ileum and with bladder catheters. Animal No. 1 was labelled by continuous infusion of [15N]leucine via a catheter into the vena jugularis. After reaching a steady state in the level of endogenous N (4–5 d after beginning of the infusion) the digesta of the labelled animal No. 1 and the two unlabelled animals were exchanged in a 3 day experiment. During this time the course of transit rates of digesta, digesta N and 15N through duodenum and ileum as well as the proportion of endogenous N: exogenous N were estimated. Using these data it was possible to calculate the secretion and absorption rates of endogenous and exogenous N in the three segments of the digestive tract: mouth-duodenum, duodenum-ileum, ileum-anus and in addition the reabsorption (intestinal recycling) of the endogenous N during its passage through the gut could be computed.