Intestinal uptake and metabolism of fatty acids in the chick

Uptake and metabolism of fatty acids in the duodenal mucosa of the chick was studied. In vitro incubations of a mucosal homogenate with 14C-oleic acid indicated that together with glycerides, water-soluble 14C compounds and 14CO2 were formed; the latter comprised approximately one quarter of metabolites formed. Studies in chickens introducing 14C-oleic acid into the duodenum and determining appearance of label in the cannulated pancreaticoduodenal vein and brachial artery indicated that similar processes occur in vivo, with both labeled glycerides and water-soluble compounds appearing in the blood. Quantitatively, metabolism of 14C-oleic acid to nonlipid compounds amounted to some 15% of the dose after 60 min. These findings suggest that a considerable portion of ingested fatty acids are metabolized before transport to the circulation.