Uptake Through the Gut

Abstract

After salts, water, and nutrients have been ingested, they are normally absorbed in the small intestine together with water and salt from secretions from oesophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard, and glands of the digestive system. Investigations on the role of the processes of intestinal absorption and secretion for salts (Na, K, Cl) and water are reviewed in the first section of this chapter. In the second section the osmotic and solute composition of the intestinal contents will be considered. A third section considers the role of the intestinal caeca, when present, in osmoregulation.