[Comparison of the retention time of particles of dehydrated lucerne and of the liquid phase of digesta in the digestive tract of sheep].

The mean retention time (MRT) of particles of ground and pelleted dehydrated lucerne was compared to that of the liquid phase in different parts of the sheep digestive tract. It was not different in the reticulo-rumen but it was greater in the stomachs and the whole tract, mainly because of a faster rate of passage of fluid in the abomasum and small intestine.