Journal of Animal Science, Vol 74, Issue 8 1873-1887, Copyright © 1996 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Mathematical modeling of digestion and nutrient absorption in pigs

D. Bastianelli, D. Sauvant and A. Rerat
Laboratoire de Nutrition et Alimentation, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INAPG, Paris, France.

A simple simulation model of digestion and absorption in pigs was developed. The structure of the model is a set of four anatomical compartments for DM: stomach, two portions of small intestine, and the large intestine. In each of these anatomical compartments, subcompartments correspond to the major biochemical components of feed and their products of degradation. The major degradation and absorption events are considered as well as the effect of microbial activity in the large intestine. The total number of compartments is 44. The numerical integration with a time step of 1 min allows prediction of kinetic features of digestion phenomena such as absorption patterns and transit flows. First validation of the model shows that the global dynamic behavior of the model is realistic and promising. However, some additional factors must be considered for improved accuracy, in particular the susceptibility of the feed components to enzymatic degradation. The outputs of such a model could be used as inputs for metabolic or growth models running with time steps smaller than the 24-h basis often used in nutrition.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. P. Meunier, E. G. Manzanilla, M. Anguita, S. Denis, J. F. Perez, J. Gasa, J.-M. Cardot, F. Garcia, X. Moll, and M. Alric Evaluation of a dynamic in vitro model to simulate the porcine ileal digestion of diets differing in carbohydrate composition J Anim Sci, May 1, 2008; 86(5): 1156 - 1163. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Juillet, H. Fouillet, C. Bos, F. Mariotti, N. Gausseres, R. Benamouzig, D. Tome, and C. Gaudichon Increasing habitual protein intake results in reduced postprandial efficiency of peripheral, anabolic wheat protein nitrogen use in humans Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2008; 87(3): 666 - 678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wilfart, L. Montagne, P. H. Simmins, J. van Milgen, and J. Noblet Sites of nutrient digestion in growing pigs: Effect of dietary fiber J Anim Sci, April 1, 2007; 85(4): 976 - 983. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Fouillet, C. Gaudichon, C. Bos, F. Mariotti, and D. Tome Contribution of plasma proteins to splanchnic and total anabolic utilization of dietary nitrogen in humans Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2003; 285(1): E88 - E97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Lovatto and D. Sauvant Modeling homeorhetic and homeostatic controls of pig growth J Anim Sci, March 1, 2003; 81(3): 683 - 696. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. McNamara and J. E. Pettigrew Protein and fat utilization in lactating sows: II. Challenging behavior of a model of metabolism J Anim Sci, September 1, 2002; 80(9): 2452 - 2460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]