Effect of supplemental sodium butyrate on the activity of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes in the reticulo-ruminal digesta and brush border enzymes in sheep

An abstract of the study by Gorka et al determining the effects of sodium butyrate supplementation in the diet on activities of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes in the reticulo-ruminal digesta and brush border enzymes in sheep, is discussed. Rams were allocated to the study and fed a diet without (CTRL) or with sodium butyrate (BUT; 3.6 g/kg of offered dry matter). The study concluded that dietary sodium butyrate increased amylase activity, but decreased cellulase and xylanase activity in the reticulo-ruminal digesta and decreased aminopeptidase A and dipeptidylpeptidase IV activities in the distal jejunum of sheep.