Effect of mineral salts, carbachol, and pilocarpine on nutrient digestibility and ruminal characteristics in cattle.
Fifty percent concentrate diets containing 2% sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, or no additional mineral salts were fed at a rate of 86 g dry matter/kg body weight X 75/d to three barren Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas in a 3 X 3 Latin square design. Dietary adaptation was 14 d followed by 4 d collection. Ruminal pH, liquid volume, liquid dilution rate, and particulate rate of passage were increased with dietary mineral salts. Six Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were administered .01 mg carbachol/kg body weight/d, .10 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight/d, or saline placebo via subcutaneous, osmotically controlled pumps in a replicated 3 X 3 Latin square design. Treatments were administered for a 14-d adaptation period followed by an 8-d collection period. Both carbachol and pilocarpine increased liquid dilution rate, particulate rate of passage, and percent cellulolytic bacteria, whereas liquid volume was reduced.
D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects*; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
D001639:Bicarbonates; D010862:Pilocarpine; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D002217:Carbachol; D012964:Sodium