[Acidity of the rumen liquid of calves after intra-ruminal administration of solutions for oral rehydration].
Investigations on the acidity of the rumen liquid after intraruminal administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) were carried out in 7 young calves. After voluntary intake of about one liter of milk replacer, three times a day, 1 liter of rehydration solution (A, B, C or D) was administered intraruminally by a stomach tube. Prior to every meal rumen fluid samples were aspirated for the determination of the pH, the concentrations of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids. Number of experiments: solution A: n = 2; B: n = 4; C: n = 2; D: n = 5. In 3 experiments, the pH of the rumen fluid was measured continuously for 4 hours using a special pH probe introduced intraruminally. After intraruminal administration of the oral rehydration solutions the pH values of the rumen fluid samples decreased from initial values of about 6.5 to values of about 5.0 or even lower in all calves. Simultaneously, the concentrations of the acids, mainly lactic acid, increased markedly, with some differences depending on the respective solution. The course of the pH measured continuously by means of the pH probe corresponded to the results obtained from the intermittent rumen fluid samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm, that force-feeding of young calves with ORS as used in these experiments can induce ruminal acidosis and, therefore, should be avoided as far as possible.
Gentile
A
A
II. Medizinischen Tierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008892:Milk; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D015532:Rehydration Solutions