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Coprophagy and related strategies for digesta utilization

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Digestive Physiology and Metabolism in Ruminants

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to survey a sector of digestive specializations in search for common principles. It is concerned with the different forms of reingestion by which animals make use of bacterial products synthesized in the large intestine. In addition, digesta reflux within the gastrointestinal tract and digesta transfer between animals are treated. The approach is partly speculative in the hope of stimulating discussion and new experimental studies. For the same reason it is not limited to herbivores, and sometimes even includes findings from invertebrates.

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Authors
  1. H. Hörnicke
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  2. G. Björnhag
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, National Veterinary School, Toulouse, France

    Y. Ruckebusch (Head) (Head)

  2. Laboratory of Ruminant Digestion, INRA, Theix, France

    P. Thivend (Head) (Head)

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Hörnicke, H., Björnhag, G. (1980). Coprophagy and related strategies for digesta utilization. In: Ruckebusch, Y., Thivend, P. (eds) Digestive Physiology and Metabolism in Ruminants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8067-2_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-8067-2_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8069-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-8067-2

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