Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2017
The ability of the gut tissues to absorb nutrients and the extent to which these are then metabolised within the gastrointestinal tract plays a central role in regulating the supply of metabolites to the liver and consequently influences the availability of nutrients for hepatic and peripheral tissue use. Energy consumption by the portal drained viscera is extensive and may account for 25% of total body oxygen consumption (Huntington and Reynolds, 1987). Substrates available for oxidative metabolism include volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced in the rumen and large intestine as addition to arterial supply of these nutrients. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the influence of increased propionate availability on metabolism of VFA in the rumen and the gastrointestinal tract.