stercobilinogen
/ˌstɜːrkoʊˈbaɪlɪnədʒən/
noun
- A colorless compound produced in the intestines from the breakdown of bilirubin, which is later oxidized to stercobilin and gives feces its brown color.
- The brown color of stool comes from stercobilin, which is made from stercobilinogen.
- Doctors can measure stercobilinogen levels to check liver function.
- Stercobilinogen is formed when bacteria in the gut break down bile pigments.