MINERAL ABSORPTION AND SECRETION PATTERNS IN THE ALIMENTARY-TRACT OF THE ROE DEER (CAPREOLUS-CAPREOLUS)

Concentrations of macrominerals; Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and Cl were measure d in different sections of the alimentary tract of five roe deer, Capr eolus capreolus, kept in captivity and fed a diet of grass pellets and oats. By means of the non-absorbed marker-slaughter technique (using (51)CrEDTA as marker), sites of secretion and absorption of minerals i n the alimentary tract were determined. Large amounts of P, Na and K w ere secreted into the rumen, whereas Cl was secreted into the abomasum , The larger amounts of these minerals were absorbed from the distal s mall. intestine and caecum/proximal colon, In the coiled colon, small quantities of Na, K and Cl were absorbed which is essential for the ma intenance of mineral balance. Emphasis is put on the role of the large hindgut in concentrate selectors both with respect to fermentation an d conservation of minerals and other nutrients.