The Effect of Diarrhea on the Glutamine Requirements of the Calf Gut

Abstract

The effects of glutamine-enriched diet on scours has not been fully studied but it is likely to stimulate gut healing. The purpose of our study was to determine the requirements of diseased gut for glutamine. We measured the net intestinal glutamine uptake in the healthy and scouring state using an arteriovenous difference technique. Eight male Holstein calves were acquired from local dairy farms that have a low incidence of neonatal scours. All calves were obtained within a week of age and fed colostrum (5% of the body weight at birth). The femoral artery, jugular vein, mesenteric vein and the portal vein were cannulated. These catheters were used to measure blood flow and gut uptake of glutamine. All surgery were performed aseptically. Calves were allowed at least five days to recover from surgery in order to regain normal food intake.