Site of Phosphorus Absorption in the Sheep

Abstract

THOUGH several reports^1–4 deal with phosphorus uptake by the various divisions of the gastro-intestinal tract of the sheep, they do not compare the absorption of added physiological amounts of phosphorus from normal ingesta in these organs. To satisfy this requirement sheep were allowed to graze normally until approximately four hours before being anæsthetized. The organ under investigation was then tied off and radiophosphorus, in the form of orthophosphate with 1 mgm. per me. carrier, injected into it. Blood samples were taken, at intervals, from the left jugular vein, and the plasma assayed for radioactivity in a dipping counter.