Effect of heat stress on gastro-intestinal motility in young albino rats

Motility of the gastrointestinal tract was studied by barium meal technique in control and heat exposed young and adult albino rats. As compared to the controls, the gastric emptying and the intestinal transit were significantly increased in heat exposed young rats, while in vivo intestinal absorption of D-glucose and L-proline was significantly decreased in heat exposed young rats. The rapid transit of meal through small intestine in heat exposed young rats could be responsible for decreased absorptive capacity of small intestine by reducing the exposure time for nutrients.