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For the purpose of studying nutrient digestion and absorption in the small intestine, pigs were provided with ileo-rectal anastomoses. The anaesthetic and operation method is described. X-ray examinations do not show a significant backflow of digesta into the from colon cranially open towards the anastomosis as well as a totally intact sphincter ani. With the help of additional doses of highly digestible, N-free nutrients rich in energy (starch + saccharose), the operated animals achieved a growth development corresponding to that of intact control animals. For the assessment of the physiologic state of the animals, the concentrations in the serum of the total protein, of albumin, urea, glucose, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and creatinine as well as the activities of aspartate amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase were determined. These showed for the respective criteria changes conditioned by age and dependent on feed intake. The fixing of the anastomoses did not result in disturbances of nutritional or organic damages. Histologic studies of the mucosa of stomach, duodenum and jejunum did not show pathologic changes. The weight of stomach, duodenum and jejunum, determined in 2 live weight ranges, is identical for operated and intact animals in relation to the weight of the empty body of the animals. The weight of ileum, caecum and colon of the operated animals is significantly lower, due to inactivity atrophy. The tissue amount available for the intake of a volume unit (weight-volume index) is nearly identical for operated and intact animals in the duodenum and the jejunum. The index functionally increasing for intact animals from the jejunum to the ileum (stenosis due to temporary digesta congestion in the ileum) remained the same with anastomosis animals for 29 or 26 weeks resp. after the operation. As a result of the biochemical and morphological studies it was shown that animals with an ileo-rectal anastomosis are suitable for the determination of nutrient digestibility at the end of the ileum.