Functional development and intestinal absorption in the young poult

1. Absorption, secretion of digestive enzymes and intestinal morphology were determined in poults from hatching to 19 d. 2. Oleic acid was approximately 80% absorbed at hatch and this changed little with age and was not influenced by fasting. In contrast, glucose and methionine were 48 to 56% absorbed at hatch and this increased to 75 to 80% at 4 d; however, this increase in absorption was inhibited by fasting. Percentage absorption of protein did not change between 5 and 19 d, whereas absolute uptake of fat and protein and net secretion of digestive enzymes and fatty acids and N to the duodenum increased with age and body weight (BW). 3. The length and diameter and villus size in the small intestines increased rapidly after hatch whereas the number of villi per cross section did not change with age. Duodenum and ileum surface area reached a plateau after 11 d whereas jejunal surface area continued to increase until 19 d. Duodenal and ileal surface area were not related to BW, but jejunal surface area was significantly correlated. 4. While the major part of the absorption occurred in the duodenum and upper jejunum, uptake of both protein and fat increased in the distal segments of the small intestine with age. Overall absorption of both fat and protein was correlated with BW. 5. It appears that in the posthatch poult intestinal surface area is not a limiting factor in growth, which was correlated with digestive secretions, fat and protein uptake.