Ruminal pH, short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and serum acute phase protein concentrations during finishing for steers with and without rumen and liver pathology
Wiese, B. I.; Campbell, J.; Hendrick, S.; Penner, G. B.
Canadian Journal of Animal Science 97(4): 581-589
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-3984 DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2016-0212
Accession: 070832863
This study was carried out to determine whether ruminal fermentation and serum acute phase protein concentrations differed between steers with and without pathology at slaughter. Ruminally cannulated steers (n = 28) were housed with noncannulated steers (n = 250) and randomly assigned to one of eight pens. Steers were previously adapted to a diet containing 5% barley silage and 95% concentrate. Ruminal pH was measured continuously and ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected weekly. Steers were slaughtered and those with a liver score (A or A+) or a rumen score of 2 or 3 (ulceration or scarring) were classified as pathology (PATH) and compared with those with no pathology (NOPATH). Steers with PATH spent 182 min d(-1) more with pH < 5.8 (P = 0.05) and 64 min d(-1) more time with pH < 5.2 (P = 0.03) than NOPATH. The concentration of serum amyloid A was greater for steers with PATH than NOPATH (P = 0.02) and haptaglobin tended (P = 0.08) to be greater. Overall, results of the current study suggest that the duration of time that ruminal pH is < 5.2 and a serum acute phase protein response are greater for steers with a case definition including ruminal and liver lesions.