Changes

*30% of protein digestion.

*30% of protein digestion.

A lot of absorption of [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFAs]] and water occurs in the large intestine which pass readily into the blood. Electrolytes are also absorbed in the large intestine; 95% of sodium and chloride and 75% of potassium and phosphate.

A lot of absorption of [[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFAs]] and water occurs in the large intestine which pass readily into the blood. Electrolytes are also absorbed in the large intestine; 95% of sodium and chloride and 75% of potassium and phosphate.

To mix the contents of the large intestines, the taenia and circular muscle of the tunica muscularis contract. This also transports the ingesta through the large intestine and brings the products of fermentation in contact with the epithelium.

To mix the contents of the large intestines, the taenia and circular muscle of the tunica muscularis contract. This also transports the ingesta through the large intestine and brings the products of fermentation in contact with the epithelium.

==Microbial Environment==

==Microbial Environment==

*Microbes convert carbohydrates to [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|volatile fatty acids]] (VFAs).

*Microbes convert carbohydrates to [[Volatile Fatty Acids|volatile fatty acids]] (VFAs).

**The horse recieves 75% of it's energy requirements from VFAs.

**The horse recieves 75% of it's energy requirements from VFAs.

**The large intestine is bufferred by secretion of large amounts of bicarbonate from the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|pancreas]] and the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]. Glands in the wall of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] may also produce bicarbonate.

**The large intestine is bufferred by secretion of large amounts of bicarbonate from the [[Pancreas - Anatomy & Physiology|pancreas]] and the [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]]. Glands in the wall of the [[Large Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|large intestine]] may also produce bicarbonate.

*The microbial population is dependant on diet and frequency of feeding, as different microbes are suited to digesting different things.

*The microbial population is dependant on diet and frequency of feeding, as different microbes are suited to digesting different things.

**The number of microbes can change 100 fold in a 24 hour period.

**The number of microbes can change 100 fold in a 24 hour period.

*[[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFAs]] produced are absorbed across the intestinal wall.

*[[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFAs]] produced are absorbed across the intestinal wall.

*Urea from the blood is transported to the intestinal lumen to be used by microbes, which also use nitrogen from the diet.

*Urea from the blood is transported to the intestinal lumen to be used by microbes, which also use nitrogen from the diet.

*Environmental factors of the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and ventral colon can influence fermentation of microbial population.

*Environmental factors of the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and ventral colon can influence fermentation of microbial population.

***Removal of the products of fermentation by absorption and peristalsis

***Removal of the products of fermentation by absorption and peristalsis

***Stable osmotic environment i.e. normal intake of water

***Stable osmotic environment i.e. normal intake of water

*[[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFA's]] produced include:

*[[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFA's]] produced include:

**Acetate

**Acetate

**Propionate

**Propionate

**Butyrate

**Butyrate

*Factors that promote [[Volatile Fatty Acids - Anatomy & Physioogy|VFA]] production:

*Factors that promote [[Volatile Fatty Acids|VFA]] production:

**An optimum pH of 6.5

**An optimum pH of 6.5

**Anaerobic environment

**Anaerobic environment