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Effect of Alfalfa Pasture Bloat on Certain Blood Components of Cattle¹

Iowa State University, Ames

Abstract

The effect of bloat on blood levels of various nitrogen and phosphorus components was studied in cattle grazing alfalfa pasture. There was no significant difference in blood NH₃-N, blood NPN, and hematocrit values between bloated and non-bloated cattle. Plasma inorganic phosphorus levels of bloated cattle were higher than those of non-bloated cattle. Levels of blood NH₃-N, NPN, urea, total phosphorus, plasma inorganic phosphorus, and plasma lipid phosphorus increased during grazing of good-quality alfalfa pasture.

Animals which were highly susceptible to bloat appeared to have higher levels of plasma inorganic phosphorus than animals which were less susceptible to bloat. Changing cattle from dry feed to alfalfa pasture caused changes in blood phosphorus components which were different in animals of high than in animals of low bloat susceptibility.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-3876 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1267. Supported in part by funds provided by Regional Project NC-27.

² Present address: Department of Animal Industries, University of Connecticut,Storrs.

³ Present address: Dawe's Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Illinois.