J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1979. 49:1536-1544.
© 1979 American Society of Animal Science
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An Analysis of the Buffer System in the Rumen of Dairy Cattle1

G.H.M. Counotte, A. Th. van't Klooster, J. van der Kuilen and R. A. Prins2,3,

Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Faculty, Yalelaan 1, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Abstract

A method is presented for the analysis of buffer systems in the rumen using the first derivation of titration curves. Bicarbonate and volatile fatty acids (VFA) are the main components of the buffering system in the rumen fluid of dairy cattle under widely different feeding conditions. Phosphate from saliva is of little importance as a buffer, but neutralizes acids produced in the rumen.

After studying five cows during the peripartal period a spontaneous and transient increase in the concentrations of VFA and a soluble marker (PEG) as well as a drop in pH and in the bicarbonate concentrations not related to feeding was observed in two animals that were sampled several hours before parturition. The potential risk of provoking rumen disturbances upon feeding animals close to the time of parturition, when buffering capacity may be minimal, is stressed.

Footnotes

1 This investigation was supported by the Foundation for Fundamental Biological Research (Bion), which is subsidized by the Netherlands Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (ZWO).

2 Thanks are due to the personnel of the Institute of Animal Physiology of the University of Wageningen and of the experimental farm "De Uithof" of the University of Utrecht for their help and assistance in these experiments.

3 We are grateful to Dr. L.M.G. van Golde for his stimulating interest.






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Copyright © 1979 by the American Society of Animal Science.