Abstract
The rates of flow and excretion of polyvinylalcohol through the digestive tract were studied in 10 swine in comparison with those of chromic oxide. Polyvinylalcohol passed faster through the upper parts of the digestive tract. However, there was a good agreement concerning the excretion variation, and no essential difference in retention time in the digestive tract between both these indicators. Recovery rate during feces collection period was higher for this polymer than for polyethyleneglycol, the frequently used water-soluble indicator.
Polyvinylalcohol will be successfully employed for tracing the flow of water and solutes through the digestive tract with swine.
