Fat digestion and absorption in the proximal intestine of the dog.

Abstract

SummaryTwo jejunal fistula dogs were fed a mixed test meal containing cottonseed oil triglycerides as the source of fat. Quantitative collection of material not absorbed during the complete transit of chyme to the fistulous opening revealed that cottonseed oil triglycerides were efficiently absorbed (69.9% and 55.0%) in the proximal intestine. Analysis of unabsorbed fat for free fatty acids and monoglycerides showed this lipid to be moderately well digested. Although absorption was increased when digestion was more complete, both the extent of digestion and absorption of fat could have depended primarily on variations in other gastrointestinal processes. Consequently, it cannot be concluded from these experiments that fat absorption is enhanced by increased lipolysis. The importance of soap formation in fat absorption is minimized by the fact that intestinal contents were almost always acid during the course of collection.