TECHNICAL NOTE - PIG MODEL FOR STUDYING NUTRIENT ASSIMILATION BY THE INTESTINE AND COLON

We have developed a system for chronically catheterizing 10- to 25-d-o ld pigs that permits stable isotope tracer studies of intestinal or co lonic assimilation of nutrients. This model also can be used to ensure constant enteral feeding or to assess the rate of entry into the term inal ileum of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids. A plastic cannula with a luminal flange can be surgically placed in the stomach for trac er studies of sugar digestion or for controlled infusion of any formul a diet. A similar cannula can be placed in the cecum for infusion of t racer and(or) substrates for studies of fermentation. The cannula has been machined so that a washer and nut can be threaded onto it, allowi ng the entire apparatus to be fixed to the abdominal wall. The distal end protruding above the skin was tapered to fit standard i.v. extensi on tubing. A carotid arterial catheter was used to sample substrates f or isotopic enrichment measurements.