title: Importance of jejunum for bile acid absorption in pigeons: effect of jejunal resection on plasma cholesterol and cholesterol excretion.
abstract: Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that the jejunum could be the major site of bile acid absorption in the pigeon. To confirm this observation directly, the effects of jejunal resection on the fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols and on the level of plasma cholesterol were examined in the pigeon. This surgical procedure specifically increased (p less than 0.05) the excretion of bile acids, with no change in the excretion of neutral sterols. The total fecal steroid excretion in the pigeons with jejunal resection was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than that in the control group. Jejunal resection also decreased the plasma cholesterol level in the pigeon. These results confirm our earlier suggestion that the jejunum is the major site of bile acid absorption in pigeons, unlike that in mammals, in which the ileum is the major site.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol