Basic Structure, Function, Pathophysiology and Immune Mechanisms of the Bovine Gut

Abstract

The bovine intestine can be thought of as a tube. Food goes into one end and, after a few changes, comes out as feces at the other end. We never worry much about what's going on in that tube unless something goes wrong. When something goes wrong with the intestine, the most common clinical sign is diarrhea. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to determine the what and the why of the problem, and one is forced to treat all diarrheas in a similar manner, largely with antibacterial drugs and/or parasympatholytic anti-cholinergic agents. In order to prevent and treat diarrheas, other than symptomatically, we must develop an understanding of what is.happening in the gut and what are some of the mechanisms by which bacteria and viruses can cause diarrhea.