Comparison of jejunal and ileal absorptive functions for glucose and valine in vivo--a technique for estimating real Km and Jmax in the domestic fowl.

1. A technique is described that enables the kinetic characterisation of the saturable absorption mechanisms in the chicken jejunum and ileum for glucose and valine in vivo (after correction for non-saturating components and unstirred layers) by estimation of real Km and Jmax. 2. In the ileum both nutrients have lower real Km and higher Jmax values than in the jejunum indicating, at least for hexose and amino acids, that the ileal enterocytes are functionally equipped and anatomically well-sited to fulfil the role of scavengers of the small intestine.