ABSTRACT
In a preliminary survey of the distribution and fate of phosphorus-containing compounds in the alimentary tract of the sheep it was decided to estimate the inorganic phosphate levels of the fluid of the various divisions of the stomach. Information on this topic is very scanty, the only figure for phosphorus in sheep rumen liquor which could be found in the literature being 87 mg. P/100ml. (Brünnich & Winks, 1931). The initial experiments showed that inorganic phosphate occurred in higher concentration in abomasal liquor than was anticipated, and this led to an examination of the levels of soluble calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium were chosen because their fate in the alimentary tract is often closely linked with that of inorganic phosphate. Some observations on the composition of sheep gastric juice were also made as one of the animals available for this investigation had an abomasal pouch of the Hollander type.
