MECHANISMS OF TRANSPORT IN THE EPITHELIUM OF THE RUMEN OF SHEEP

The forestomachs of ruminants are large fermentation chambers in which the diet is partly digested by the rumen bacteria, protozoa and fungi. The extent and the importance of this ruminal fermentation has been studied frequently during the last decades. A second major function of the forestomachs is the absorption of minerals and fermentation products. Recent studies have improved the knowledge of transport properties of the rumen epithelium. This short review summarizes these findings.