Rat large bowel maintains calcium transport after small bowel resection

Because of the marked defect in calcium transport by the residual duodenum and ileum of the rat 10 days after 70% resection of mid-small intestine, we examined the calcium transport response by large intestine at this time. Although net cecal calcium absorption was decreased by one third in resected rats as compared with transected controls, total net cecal absorption was maintained because of the small growth response. Colonic calcium transport was the same in transected and resected groups, despite greater segment growth in the resected group. In comparison to the marked abnormality in calcium transport by the residual small intestine secondary to resection, the effect on the large intestine was minimal.