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Technical Note: An improved surgical model for the long-term studies of kinetics and quantification of nutrient absorption in swine

S. Hooda^*, J. J. Matte, C. W. Wilkinson^* and R. T. Zijlstra^*

^* Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1M 1Z3

ruurd.zijlstra{at}ualberta.ca

Abstract

An improved technique to study kinetics and quantitative absorption of nutrients in pigs was described. Three female pigs (35 kg BW) were surgically modified with catheters in the hepatic portal vein and carotid artery and an ultrasonic flow probe around the portal vein. Catheter placement and patency was secured using distal modifications (rings and holes) and non-absorbable suture. Catheters and flow probe cable were tunneled subcutaneously following exteriorization for further protection. Fibrosis and adhesions in the body cavity were minimized by avoiding excessive manipulation and drying of viscera. Pigs were supported during recovery by i.v. fluid therapy of AA and electrolytes until regular feeding resumed. Catheters were flushed daily with heparinized saline (200 IU/L). After 10 d, pigs were fed a diet based on wheat and soybean meal for 6 consecutive 7-d periods. On d 7, blood was collected postprandially every 15 min from -15 to 60 min, 30 min to 240 min, 60 min to 480 min, and 120 min to 720 min. Blood flow was measured simultaneously. Plasma was analyzed for glucose, and net glucose absorption was calculated from plasma portal-arterial differences x plasma flow [blood flow x (1 – hematocrit)]. The specific improvements for long-term use of this model are distal modifications of the catheters, post-operative treatment using parental nutrition and gut motility drug, prevention of infection of body cavity by further tunneling of catheters and blood flow probe cable, and use of ultrasonic blood flow probes and meter. Blood flow measurements using an ultrasonic blood flow probe was not changed after 52 d as compared to 10 d post surgery, indicating the reliability of this model. This catheterized pig model will, thus, allow the long-term study of the kinetics of nutrient absorption.

Key Words: absorption • catheterization • kinetics • pig • portal vein