Free and peptide amino acid fluxes across the mesenteric and non-mesenteric viscera of sheep and calves

The flux of free and peptide amino acids across the stomach and intestinal tissues was quantified using sheep and calves maintained in "steady state” conditions by feeding at hourly intervals. Crossbred wethers and Holstein steers were surgically cannulated in the abdominal aorta, mesenteric vein and portal vein. All animals were fed an orchardgrass, corn, SBM-based diet. The steers received three abomasal infusions; a control solution, and an amino acid mixture simulating casein and casein each at a rate equivalent to 25% of daily crude protein intake. Nutrient fluxes from the mesenteric and portal-drained viscera were measured; non-mesenteric flux was calculated as the difference between portal flux and mesenteric flux. Results of this study support the concept that free amino acids are absorbed by the small intestine and not by the stomach. The flux of peptide amino acids across the portal-drained-viscera indicate that a major portion of the amino acids which are absorbed by cattle and sheep are absorbed in the form of peptides from the stomach. The observation that large quantities of peptide amino acids are absorbed from the stomach is unique and it is expected that this most important discovery will revolutionize the feeding of ruminants.