Clemens E T, Stevens C E
J Nutr. 1979 Jun;109(6):1110-6. doi: 10.1093/jn/109.6.1110.
Twelve raccoons were used to assess the movement of fluid and particulate digesta through their gastrointestinal tract and to determine the diurnal variations in organic acid levels for the various segments of the tract. Fluid and particulate markers were administered at the time of meal feeding. Animals were killed at given intervals after the administration of markers. The gastrointestinal tract was removed and divided into seven segments for measurement of markers, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid content. The results indicate a rapid transit of the digesta through the entire gastrointestinal tract, with a mean retention time of less than 24 hours for all fluid and particulate markers. Particulate markers up to 2 cm in length were passed rapidly, with limited retention within the tract, much unlike animals with greater gut complexity. The apparent requirements for gut complexity and digesta retention presumably necessary for digestion by gut microflora were not evident in the raccoon. However, even in the absence of these characteristics, microbial fermentation of the ingesta occurred, as evidenced by the levels of organic acids produced. Colonic VFA concentrations achieved levels comparable to levels observed in the ruminants' foregut and the large intestine of the pony. Lactic acid was found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract.
选用12只浣熊来评估液体和颗粒性食糜在其胃肠道中的移动情况，并确定胃肠道各段有机酸水平的昼夜变化。在喂食时给予液体和颗粒性标记物。在给予标记物后的特定时间间隔处死动物。取出胃肠道并分成七个部分，用于测量标记物、pH值、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）和乳酸含量。结果表明，食糜在整个胃肠道中快速通过，所有液体和颗粒性标记物的平均保留时间不到24小时。长度达2厘米的颗粒性标记物快速通过，在胃肠道内的保留有限，这与肠道更复杂的动物大不相同。浣熊中肠道复杂性和食糜保留对于肠道微生物群消化可能所需的明显要求并不明显。然而，即使没有这些特征，摄入物的微生物发酵仍会发生，这可由产生的有机酸水平证明。结肠VFA浓度达到了与反刍动物前肠和小马大肠中观察到的水平相当的水平。在整个胃肠道中都发现了乳酸。
