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Disappearance of ethanol from isolated sheep rumen
T Veresegyházy1, Hedvig Fébel, G Nagy
1Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary. tveres@univet.hu
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
|May 10, 2003
Summary
Ethanol absorption in sheep rumens was investigated. Results indicate ethanol moves through the rumen wall via a passive transport mechanism, with disappearance rates varying by concentration.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Physiology
- Gastrointestinal Physiology
Background:
- The rumen is a key site for nutrient absorption in ruminants.
- Understanding the absorption dynamics of various substances, including ethanol, is crucial for animal health and nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the absorption kinetics of ethanol from the sheep rumen.
- To determine the transport mechanism of ethanol across the rumen wall.
Main Methods:
- Ethanol and Cr-EDTA were infused into the cannulated rumens of three British Milk sheep.
- Rumen fluid samples were collected over 75 minutes to measure ethanol concentration changes.
- Chromium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Cr-EDTA) was used as a non-absorbable marker.
Main Results:
- Ruminal ethanol concentration decreased over the 75-minute experimental period.
- The rate of ethanol disappearance varied depending on the initial concentration administered (20 ml vs. 60 ml).
- The concentration-time curve for ethanol disappearance exhibited characteristics of passive transport.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol is absorbed from the sheep rumen via a passive transport process.
- The rate of ethanol absorption is concentration-dependent.