Meeting Abstract

P1.89  Monday, Jan. 4  Postprandial matching of intestinal function and metabolism SECOR, S. M.*; TAYLOR, J. R.; GROSELL, M.; University of Alabama; University of Miami; University of Miami ssecor@biology.as.ua.edu

Snakes vary with respect to feeding habits in the regulation of intestinal form and function. Frequently feeding species tend to maintain intestinal function with fasting and feeding, whereas infrequently feeding species significantly up and downregulate intestinal function with the start and finish of each meal. To investigate metabolic correlates of intestinal regulation, we examined postprandial changes in intestinal metabolism for the frequently feeding diamondback watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) and the infrequently feeding Burmese python (Python molurus). We used in-vitro intestinal tissue respirometry to measure rates of oxygen consumption (VO₂) by the mucosal and serosal sides of intestinal segments from fasted and fed snakes. Intestinal mucosal VO₂ was significantly greater (by 50-100%) than serosal VO₂, except for fasted watersnakes. For fasted snakes, intestinal VO₂ of watersnakes was twice that of pythons. Watersnakes experienced no significant postprandial increase in VO₂ for the proximal small intestine when normalized to area or mass. In contrast for the python, feeding generated significant increases in intestinal VO₂ that peaked 3 days postfeeding at 3-4 fold of fasting VO₂. For the fed python, the mucosa and serosa exhibited similar magnitudes of increase in VO₂. The watersnake’s maintenance of intestinal function with fasting is reflected in its higher fasting intestinal VO₂ and its lack of a postprandial increase in intestinal metabolism. For the python, the upregulation of intestinal function with feeding is matched in magnitude with the increase in the intestine’s metabolic rate.