NITROGEN FIXATION IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF RODENTS

Abstract

This review paper presents a comprehensive overview of the presence of nitrogen-fixing activity in various parts of the digestive tract and intestinal content in the red-backed vole and the common vole. Research has shown that nitrogen fixation, the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms available for biological use, does not occur uniformly across all segments of the digestive system. The highest level of nitrogen-fixing activity is observed in the wall of the large intestine, indicating the importance of this part of the gut as a site of intense microbial activity. In contrast, the lowest level of activity is recorded in the wall of the forestomach, likely due to unfavorable conditions for the development of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in this part of the system. Furthermore, nitrogen-fixing activity in the contents of all intestinal segments in voles is significantly higher compared to control groups, confirming the presence and activity of a specific microbial community. These findings suggest that gut microorganisms in rodents play an important role in nitrogen supplementation, which may be crucial for the nutritional strategy of these animals, especially given the low nitrogen content of plant-based food sources. This paper contributes to a better understanding of microbiological and biological processes in the digestive tract of rodents and opens the way for further research in the field of their ecology and nutritional adaptation.