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Ruminal Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations and Weight Gains of Calves Reared with and Without Ruminal Ciliated Protozoa

U. S. Department of Agriculture and North Dakota State University,⁴ Fargo 58102

Abstract

GUERNSEY and Holstein calves were reared in isolation stalls with and without ruminal ciliated protozoal (RCP) populations. Ruminal contents from these calves were collected weekly and analyzed for volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations by gas-liquid chromatography. Ruminal contents from 1- and 2-week-old RCP-free calves were significantly lower in total VFA (TVFA) concentrations than ruminal contents from older RCP-free calves.

Ruminal samples from calves established with Entodinium sp. or Isotricha sp. showed a significantly (P<.05) higher propionic acid concentration than samples from calves established with a mixture of Entodinium sp. and Isotricha sp., or samples from RCP-free calves. Samples from calves established with a mixture of Entodinium sp. and Isotricha sp. showed a significant (P<.01) increase in nbutyric acid over ruminal samples from calves faunated with either Entodinium sp. or Isotricha sp., or RCP-free calves. Differences between ruminal TVFA concentrations from RCP-inoculated and RCP-free calves were nonsignificant. Average daily gains of calves with and without RCP-species were comparable.

¹ Animal Science Research Division, A.R.S., Metabolism and Radiation Research Laboratory, Fargo, North Dakota 58102.

² Department of Animal Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo.

³ The authors wish to express appreciation to M. C. Bush and D. J. Cottrell for caring for the animals, and to C. N. Haugse and T. S. Adams for aid in the statistical analyses of the data.

⁴ Reference to a company or product name does not imply approval or recommendation of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.