Symposium Manipulation of the Functional Activity of the Gut by Dietary and Other Means (Antibiotics/Probiotics)in Ruminants1-2

ABSTRACT The mucosa of the gut is some of the most metabolically active tissue in the body. This paper discusses the methodology used to assess enterocyte cell metabolism and nutrient uptake in the reticuloru-men and small intestine of ruminant species. Metabo lism of volatile fatty acids and glucose by this tissue may limit the availability of essential nutrients to peripheral tissues, and the extent to which this may vary between concentrate-based and forage-based diets is discussed. Factors that affect the development and expression of metabolite uptake by the enterocyte are considered in addition to the influence that manip ulation of the microbial flora of the gut by the use of antibiotic growth promoters or probiotics may have upon this process. Data are presented to show that th