title: Water absorption in relation to fermentation in the colon of the ostrich (Struthio camelus).
abstract: The colon is a major site for fermentation and water absorption in the ostrich. Water absorption along the colon was evaluated and its relationship to osmolality, Na+ concentration, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and carbohydrate content of digesta analysed. Mean water content decreased from 5.30 +/- 0.99 to 2.51 +/- 0.13 mf/g dry mass in the first 5 m of the colon. Correspondingly, mean carbohydrate content fell from 529.85 +/- 46.61 to 434.99 +/- 29.89 mg/g dry mass. A significant correlation was shown between the decreases in mean carbohydrate and water content along the colon (r2 = 0.997, P < 0.05). Changes in mean osmolality (+/- 10 mOsm/kg) and SCFA concentration (+/- 7 mmol/l) were minimal in comparison to the change in Na+ concentration (-54 mmol/l). These findings reflect a close coupling between SCFA production and absorption on the one hand and water absorption on the other.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Musara
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chamunorwa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holtug
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skadhauge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D009995:Osmosis; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D014867:Water; D012964:Sodium