Gastrointestinal tract nutrition effects

Relatively high levels of copper in pig diets can improve nutritional performance due to the antimicrobial effects in the gastrointestinal tract. However, if land is fertilized with dung from pigs and subsequently grazed by sheep, the sheep may suffer copper toxicity because of their increased susceptibility to copper compared with pigs. Similarly, pig diets would be unacceptable for sheep because of the high levels of copper therein. 

Absorption of plutonium from the gastrointestinal tract was minimal and was dependent on age, chemical properties, stomach content, dietary iron intake, and nutritional factors (Bomford and Harrison 1986 Harrison et al. 1986 Stather et al. 1980 Sullivan and Ruemmler 1988 Sullivan et al. 1983 Weeks et al. 1956). Oxidation state, administration media, extent of polymer formation, rate of hydrolysis, and mass administered did not appear to effect the absorption of plutonium (Carritt et al. 1947 Harrison and David 1987 Larsen et al. 1981 Stather et al. 1980, 1981). 

C. Ethanol intoxication and chronic alcoholism also predispose patients to trauma, exposure-induced hypothermia, injurious effects of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract and nenrous system, and a number of nutritional disorders and metabolic derangements. 

Essential oils can be used in feed as appetite stimulant, stimulant of saliva production, gastric and pancreatic juice production enhancer, and antimicrobial and antioxidant to improve broiler performance. Antimicrobial effects of essential oils are well documented. Essential oils due to their potent nature should be used as low as possible levels in animal nutrition. Otherwise, they can lead to feed intake reduction, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) micro ora disturbance, or accumulation in animal tissues and products. Odor and taste of essential oils may contribute to feed refusal however, encapsulation of essential oils could solve this problem (Gauthier, 2005). 

Table 27 2J. Sulfpes in excessive amounts cause an osmotic catharsis resulting in mild to moderate diarrhea that is usually transient and appears similar to the osmotic effect of excessive total dissolved solids (IDS). Calcium and magnesium cause no clinical effects in the cOncentrPions found in water. Iron at the usual concentrations in wper causes esthetic and, possibly, nutritional effects, but does not affect the gastrointestinal tract. Nitrate causes methemoglobinemia, not diarrhea.

The gastrointestinal (Gl) tract defends the host from toxins and antigens by both immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms, collectively referred to as the gut barrier function. Whenever possible, enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred over parenteral nutrition (PN) because it is as effective, may reduce metabolic and infectious complications, and is less expensive. 

---