Organic acid production and digesta movement in the gastrointestinal tract of the baboon and sykes monkey

Abstract

1. Studies compare the sites of organic acid production and patterns of digesta movement in herbivorous and omnivorous sub-human primates. The results of this study indicate that digestive functions of the herbivorous Sykes monkey and omnivorous baboon are very similar.

2. While not being the principal site of digesta retention, the stomach was shown to retain particulate matter longer than fluids and to selectively retain the larger particles for a longer period of time.

3. Retention of both fluid and particulate matter was observed in the baboon's caecum and colon. Colonic mixing of many meals was evident and required 3–5 days for the complete evacuation of digesta markers. .

4. A substantial degree of microbial fermentation and organic acid production was observed in the hindgut of both species of primate and demonstrated no distinct advantage for the more herbivorous species.