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Absorption of short-chain fatty acids, sodium and water from the forestomach of camels

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Abstract

In camelids the ventral parts of compartments 1 and 2 (C1/C2) and the total surface of compartment 3 of the forestomach are lined with tubular glands, whereas in ruminants the surface of the forestomach is composed entirely of stratified, squamous epithelium. Thus, differences in absorption rates between these foregut fermenters can be expected. In five camels C1/C2 was temporarily isolated, washed and filled with buffer solutions. Absorption of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and net absorption of sodium and water were estimated relative to Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a fluid marker. SCFA were extensively absorbed in the forestomach; clearance rates of SCFA with different chain lengths were equal. After lowering the pH of solutions SCFA absorption rates increased, but much less than the increase of the non-ionized fraction. Absorption of propionate was lower when acetate had been added. Findings suggest that most of the SCFA in camels are transported in the ionized form, most likely via an anion exchange mechanism. Net water absorption is closely related to net sodium absorption. Apparently water absorption results from an iso-osmotic process. Differences between absorption mechanisms of SCFA from the forestomach of camelids and ruminants are discussed.

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Abbreviations

Ac−/Hac:

Acetate/acetic acid

Bu−/Hbu:

Butyrate/butyric acid

C1/C2:

Compartments 1 and 2

CrEDTA:

Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Pr−/HPr:

Propionate/propionic acid

SCFA:

Short-chain fatty acids

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Acknowledgements

The skilled technical assistance of G. Becker, M. Burmester and K. Hansen is greatly appreciated. We thank F. Herkenrath and M. Rhode for careful training of the camels and for help throughout the experiments. We are grateful to Frances C. Sherwood-Brock for editing of the English manuscript and Dr Roger Busche for his assistance in preparing illustrations and the electronic version of the manuscript. Ch. Dycker was financially supported by the H. Wilhelm Schaumann Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15/102, 30173, Hannover, Germany

    W. von Engelhardt, Ch. Dycker & M. Lechner-Doll

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  1. W. von Engelhardt
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  2. Ch. Dycker
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  3. M. Lechner-Doll
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Correspondence to W. von Engelhardt.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier.

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von Engelhardt, W., Dycker, C. & Lechner-Doll, M. Absorption of short-chain fatty acids, sodium and water from the forestomach of camels. J Comp Physiol B 177, 631–640 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0161-8

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