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Post-Prandial Patterns of Ovine Ruminoreticular Motility and Digesta Passage¹

University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506

Abstract

Changes in dry matter passage and fluid flow out of the rumen and patterns of ruminal motility were studied in wethers. Omasal fistulas were combined with chromic oxide and polyethylene glycol indicators to obtain more direct measures of passage and flow rates from the rumen than obtained in most previousl studies. Mean rates for passage of dry matter were 16.3 and 14.6 g per hour and rates of fluid flow were 334.1 and 324.2 ml per hour, respectively, when coarse or medium grind alfalfa hay was fed ad libitum. Dry matter passage increased with time after feeding to a peak 1 hr. before the next feeding. Fluid flow increased then decreased during the first hour after feeding then remained relatively constant until the next feeding. The finding that there was little direct relationship between dry matter passage and fluid flow underscore the necessity for separate consideration of particulate matter and liquids in such studies. Ruminal contraction rates increased then decreased during the first hour after feeding then remained relatively constant until the next feeding. Amplitude of contractions was lowest at feeding time and tended to vary inversely with rate of contraction between feedings.

¹ The investigation reported in this paper (No. 71-5-8) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director.