The contents were collected from successive regions of the colon of Swiss mice.
Ana(vses show that the pH rises by about 0.55 pH units between the cecum and the
distal colon. The level of p-glucuronidase falls sharply, typically 2 to 3 fold;, as food
residue leaves the cecum. This is followed by a large rise in the distal c%n, mvund
1.6 to 4 fold, about half of 1vhich is due to the concentrating ejlect caused by loss
of water. lvleasurements were also made of nonspecific reducing activity, the level
of which rises by about 74% along the colon mainly because of water loss. For each
of the above parameters similar results were observed using old and young mice and
with diets high and low in fat. Studies indicated that the reducing activity is
nonenzymic
