Absorption of Magnesium in the Large Intestine of the Calf

Abstract

THERE appears to be little evidence concerning the site of magnesium absorption from the alimentary tract with levels of magnesium likely to be found under normal conditions. Stewart and Moodie¹ found magnesium absorption to occur in almost the whole tract from the rumen to the cæcum in sheep, but enormous amounts of magnesium salts were introduced to demonstrate this (I found little or no absorption from the rumen of milk-fed calves with low levels of magnesium²). They concluded that the small intestine was probably the principal site of absorption. The following results were obtained while attempting to gain information on the reasons for the decrease in magnesium absorption previously observed during the first month or so of a calf's life^3–5.