Research note: age-dependent changes in 3-oxy-methyl-D-glucose and leucine intestinal absorption in chickens

Abstract

Intestinal absorption of 3-oxy-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMG) and leucine were studied in intestinal slices from fasted 1-, 2-, and 3-wk-old chickens. The intestinal segments studied were the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum, with the latter divided into proximal and medial regions. There was a decrease in the intestinal absorption of 3-OMG and leucine in the duodenal, jejunal, and proximal cecal segments with increasing age of the chicken. The medial cecum did not show age-dependent differences in the uptake of substrates. In the ileum, there was a decrease in intestinal absorption of 3-OMG and leucine between Weeks 1 and 2, but thereafter the uptake was similar to that of the 2nd wk.