Menthol stimulates calcium absorption in the rumen but not in the jejunum of sheep

Stimulation of Ca2+ absorption can counteract hypocalcemia at the onset lactation. The plant bioactive lipid compound (PBLC) menthol is an agonist for nonselective cation channels transient receptor potential (TRP) family. It acutely stimulated in ruminal epithelia nonadapted animals ex vivo and caused higher plasma concentrations cows sheep vivo. To elucidate pathway by which feeding increases level, present study aimed to investigate long-term dose-dependent effects dietary menthol-rich PBLC on mRNA abundances TRP both rumen jejunum. Twenty-four growing Suffolk were equally distributed a Con, PBLC-L, PBLC-H group, received 0, 80, 160 mg/d PBLC. After 4 wk, jejunal analyzed TRPA1, TRPV3, TRPV5–6, TRPM6–8 genes. flux rates electrophysiological properties from mid-jejunum measured Ussing chambers presence absence mucosal Na+. Acute changes after application 50 µM menthol. Ruminal had quantifiable transcripts TRPV3 = TRPM6 > TRPM7 TRPA1 with no difference among groups. Jejunum ≥ TRPV6 TRPV5, where tended decrease linearly increasing dose. Absorptive net was detected only rumen, whereas jejunum showed high passive permeability Ca2+. Net increased quadratic manner (highest PBLC-L animals) systematically decreased omission Short-circuit current groups compared Con rumen. menthol-stimulated mucosal-to-serosal stimulation PBLC-fed animals. We conclude that transport mainly active transcellular most likely involves be Pre-feeding enhances sensitizes it acute By contrast, intestinal not sensitive stimulation. Menthol could used as tool enhance prevent dairy cows.