Experimental maize acidosis in the rumen of Xinjiang fine-wool sheep

Li, X. J.; Wang, N.; Yu, Y. C.; Liu, W. H.; Wang, L.

When maize flour at 30 g/kg body weight, with added water, was given by drench to sheep, rumen acidosis developed. A dose rate of 40 g/kg proved fatal. At the onset of acidosis, pH and volatile fatty acids in the rumen declined suddenly. The CO2-combining power of the plasma and the pH of the urine also fell rapidly.