FEATURES OF DIGESTIVE PROCESSES IN SHEEP WHEN FEEDING A COMPLEX OF PROBIOTICS

On model fi stula sheep, the eff ect of using a complex of probiotic strains of lactic acid and spore-forming microorganisms (CP) in the diets on metabolic processes in the proventriculus and the digestibility of feed was studied. The revealed positive eff ect of CP on feed intake, microbial processes in the rumen, the degree of absorption of nutrients gives grounds for its use in sheep breeding.

Influence of sapropel on the activity of intestinal peptidases of broiler chickens

At the beginning of the experiment, the weight of weekly cockerels of the Hisex White egg cross (n = 90) was 64.6 ± 0.47 g. At the age of one week old, 3 groups (30 birds in each group) were formed. They received complete feed. The first group served as a control. The chickens of the second and third groups received combined fodder, in which 3% and 5% of the feed weight was replaced with dry sapropel. The dry sapropel (3% of the daily feed weight) increased the activity of casein-lytic and hemoglobin-lytic peptidases in the chyme by 1.5 (Р<0.05), in large intestine mucosa by 1.3 (Р<0.05) and in small intestine mucosa by 1.7 times (Р<0.01) compared with the control. The increase of sapropel concentration in feed up to 5% did not lead to a further increase in the activity of peptidases. The activity of peptidases were minimal at pH 5 and pH 12 and reached maximal at pH 7–8. The optimal dose of dry sapropel introduced into the diet of chickens to that stimulated the digestive processes is 3% of the mass of feed.

Enteric and Central Nervous System Mediated Control of Digestive Processes in the Small Intestine: a Coprocessor-Processor Paradigm

The small intestine is part of the gastrointestinal tract that facilitates further breakdown of the meal, extract the nutrients, absorb them efficiently and expel the left over remains of the digesta. They help in managing various digestive processes that involve buffering of the chyme, mixing with small intestinal secretions and bile, absorption and transport. In general, the small intestine functions as a bioreactor in an efficient way by employing neurohormonal means for regulating the digestive processes. Part of the regulatory functions involving-eliciting motility patterns, control of secretions and emptying of the bowels are locally mediated by the enteric reflexes, however the physiological functions demanding homeostasis requires the intervention of the central nervous system. In this review, we explore the nature of regulating mechanisms that are managed partly by the enteric nervous system (ENS) as analogous to a coprocessor and works in conjunction with the central nervous system (CNS), the primary processor to manage the extensive task of digesting the meal.