Prevalence and consequences of subacute ruminal acidosis in German dairy herds

Background

The prevalence and the clinical consequences of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cows are still poorly understood. In order to evaluate the prevalence of SARA, 26 German dairy farms were included in a field study. In each herd, between 11 and 14 lactating dairy cows were examined for their ruminal pH using rumenocentesis. Milk production data and farm management characteristics were recorded. Each farm was scored for lameness prevalence among lactating animals, and body condition score was recorded three times four to five weeks apart in all animals examined. Farms were grouped on basis of ruminal pH and compared for lameness, body condition, milk production parameters and style of management. Animals were grouped on basis of their measured ruminal pH and compared accordingly for milk production parameters and body condition score.

Results

Of 315 cows examined, 63 individuals (20%) exhibited a ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 at time of rumenocentesis. Of 26 farms examined, eleven farms had three or more of their cows experiencing a ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 and were classified as likely experiencing subacute ruminal acidosis. These farms tended to be bigger than the others and offered less lying space to the lactating cows. There was no clear tendency regarding lameness. Among individual cows, animals with a low ruminal pH of ≤ 5.5 were found to be in significantly poorer body condition than animals with higher pH values (p < 0,05).

Conclusions

The study shows 11 out of 26 of herds likely experiencing SARA. Bigger herds tend to be at a higher risk for SARA, while individuals with low ruminal pH tend to be lower in body condition. The study points to the importance of management in preventing SARA.     

芦丁对奶牛瘤胃体外发酵参数、微生物区系、乳酸代谢产物含量及酶活性的影响

本试验旨在研究高精料底物条件下添加芦丁对奶牛瘤胃体外发酵参数、微生物区系、乳酸代谢产物含量及酶活性的影响。采用体外批次培养法及单因素试验设计，以精粗比为7∶3的0.7 g混合精料（玉米∶豆粕=4∶1）和0.3 g混合干草（苜蓿∶燕麦=1∶1）为发酵底物，按芦丁的添加水平[0（对照）、1.5%、3.0%和4.5%]分为4组，每组设3个平行；同时，选取4头体况相近的健康荷斯坦奶牛，晨饲前采集瘤胃液，制备人工瘤胃培养液，于39℃下进行厌氧发酵，并分别于培养3、6、9、12、18和24 h时取样测定相应指标。结果表明：1）在高精料底物条件下，瘤胃发酵液pH<5.80的时间长达6 h，表明成功建立了亚急性瘤胃酸中毒（SARA）模型；且与对照组相比，添加1.5%和3.0%芦丁能显著提高18～24 h瘤胃发酵液pH(P<0.05)，显著降低24 h丙酸、异丁酸、戊酸及乳酸含量（P<0.05），显著降低24 h甲烷产量（P<0.05）。多项指标综合指数（MFAEI）结果表明，芦丁添加水平为4.5%时，对瘤胃液体外发酵参数产生了正组合效应，具有较好的体外发酵效果。2）与对照组相比...     

不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃微生物及瘤胃pH值变化的影响

试验研究了在不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维(NFC/NDF)比饲粮条件下诱发奶山羊亚急性瘤胃酸中毒(subacute rumen acidosis,SARA)过程中瘤胃微生物区系和瘤胃pH值的变化。该试验选用6只安装了永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳期关中奶山羊为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分4期进行,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种饲粮,以逐渐增加饲粮精料的方法诱导奶山羊发生SARA。结果表明,随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增大,瘤胃pH值显著降低(P<0.05),并且瘤胃pH值下降幅度也随之加快;随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增加,淀粉分解菌的数量增幅最显著(P<0.01);饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃细菌总数、乳酸杆菌及坏死梭形杆菌的数量显著增加(P<0.05),当该比值为2.58时,埃氏巨型球菌和反刍兽新月单胞菌的数量出现显著增多(P<0.05);原虫数量在Ⅳ期降至最低,而牛链球菌的数量在整个试验期并未出现明显的波动。饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃内与碳水化合物分解有关的多数细菌的数量明显增加,SARA期时增幅更为明显,而此时原虫数量为最低。     

日粮不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃pH值、挥发性脂肪酸及乳酸含量的影响

试验旨在探讨日粮不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比(NFC/NDF)对奶山羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选择6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分为4组(分4期进行),每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02(Ⅰ期)、1.24(Ⅱ期)、1.63(Ⅲ期)、2.58(Ⅳ期)的4种日粮。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高瘤胃pH值降低,瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及pH值低于5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的持续时间随之加快、延长;瘤胃丙酸、丁酸及总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)含量随日粮NFC/NDF比提高呈增加趋势,而乙酸含量及乙酸/丙酸则呈降低趋势;血浆乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及TVFA均呈增加趋势。当日粮NFC/NDF比达2.58时,瘤胃pH值在5.2～5.5之间持续时间每日达7h以上,此时瘤胃乳酸含量较低,血浆及瘤胃TVFA含量显著提高(P<0.05)。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高,使瘤胃逐渐处于酸性环境,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;瘤胃pH值的下降主要源于瘤胃TVFA增多,而非乳酸;当日粮NFC/NDF比为2.58时,奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒。     

Indicators of induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in Danish Holstein cows

Background

The prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in dairy cows is high with large impact on economy and welfare. Its current field diagnosis is based on point ruminal pH measurements by oral probe or rumenocentesis. These techniques are invasive and inaccurate, and better markers for the diagnosis of SARA are needed. The goal of this study was to evaluate clinical signs of SARA and to investigate the use of blood, faecal and urinary parameters as indicators of SARA. Six lactating, rumen cannulated, Danish Holstein cows were used in a cross-over study with three periods. The first and second periods included two cows on control diet and two cows on nutritional SARA challenge. The third period only included two cows on SARA challenge. Control diet was a conventional total mixed ration [45.5% dry matter (DM), 17.8% crude protein, 43.8% neutral detergent fibre, and 22.5% acid detergent fibre (DM basis)]. SARA challenge was conducted by substituting control diet with grain pellets (50% wheat/barley) over 3 days to reach 40% grain in the diet. Ruminal pH was measured continuously. Blood samples were collected once daily at 7 h after feeding. Samples of faeces and urine were collected at feeding, and at 7 and 12 h after feeding. Blood samples were analysed for pCO2, pO2, pH, electrolytes, lactate, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV), and total plasma protein concentration. Milk composition, ruminal VFA, and pH of faeces and urine were measured.

Results

SARA was associated with decreased (P < 0.05) minimum ruminal, faecal and urinary pH. Daily times and areas of ruminal pH below 5.8, and 5.6 were increased to levels representative for SARA. Significant differences were detected in milk composition and ruminal VFAs. Blood calcium concentration was decreased (P < 0.05), and pCO₂ tended to be increased (P = 0.10). Significant differences were not detected in other parameters.

Conclusions

SARA challenge was associated with changes in faecal and urinary pH, blood calcium concentration and pCO₂. These may be helpful as indicators of SARA. However changes were small, and diurnal variations were present. None of these parameters are able to stand alone as indicators of SARA.     

Oxfendazole efficacy in calves: A comparison of oral and intraruminal routes of administration

Summary

Twenty‐seven calves of the Dutch Friesian breed were housed after their first grazing season and divided into 3 groups, each of 9 animals. Two of the groups were treated with oxfendazole 9.06 per cent suspension administered either orally or intraruminally, whilst the third group was retained as an untreated control. No differences in efficacy were observed between the two treated groups and oxfendazole administered by either route was 100 per cent effective in removing adult populations of the major strongylids and trichostrongylids present.     

Pathophysiological evaluation of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) by continuous ruminal pH monitoring

Evaluation of the radio‐transmission pH‐measurement system for monitoring the ruminal pH and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle is described. This is done in order to reveal the possible application of this system for detection and pathophysiological research of SARA by continuous ruminal pH measurement. The possibility of using this system for assessment of the ruminal pH in SARA cattle, and the presence of negative correlation between the ruminal pH and ruminal temperature in heathy and SARA cattle were determined. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analysis showed that the ruminal microbial community was simpler in SARA cattle, and the bacterial numbers in SARA cattle were lower than those in healthy hay‐fed cattle. Concentrate feeding might have reduced the diversity of the ruminal microbial community. Changes in the ruminal microbial community of SARA cattle might be related to the changes in ruminal pH followed by the decrease in the number of some bacteria. Continuous monitoring of the ruminal pH using the radio‐transmission pH‐measurement system would be applied for detection and prevention of SARA in the field and pathophysiological research of SARA, including ruminal zymology and bacteriology, which have been determined previously by sampling of the ruminal fluid and measuring of ruminal pH.     

日粮不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃pH值、挥发性脂肪酸及乳酸含量的影响

试验旨在探讨日粮不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维比（NFC/NDF）对奶山羊瘤胃发酵参数的影响。选择6只安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的关中奶山羊作为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分为4组（分4期进行）,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比分别为1.02（Ⅰ期）、1.24（Ⅱ期）、1.63（Ⅲ期）、2.58（Ⅳ期）的4种日粮。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高瘤胃pH值降低,瘤胃pH值下降速率和下降幅度及pH值低于5.2、5.5、5.8、6.0的持续时间随之加快、延长;瘤胃丙酸、丁酸及总挥发性脂肪酸（TVFA）含量随日粮NFC/NDF比提高呈增加趋势,而乙酸含量及乙酸/丙酸则呈降低趋势;血浆乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及TVFA均呈增加趋势。当日粮NFC/NDF比达2.58时,瘤胃pH值在5.2～5.5之间持续时间每日达7h以上,此时瘤胃乳酸含量较低,血浆及瘤胃TVFA含量显著提高（P〈0.05）。结果表明,随着日粮NFC/NDF比的提高,使瘤胃逐渐处于酸性环境,改变了瘤胃发酵模式;瘤胃pH值的下降主要源于瘤胃TVFA增多,而非乳酸;当日粮NFC/NDF比为2.58时,奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒。     

亚急性瘤胃酸中毒对奶山羊血浆细胞因子和激素含量的影响

本试验旨在研究以递增饲粮非纤维性碳水化合物与中性洗涤纤维比( NFC/NDF)方式诱导奶山羊发生亚急性瘤胃酸中毒( SARA)后,血浆细胞因子和激素含量的变化。选取9只体况良好,体重接近的泌乳期莎能奶山羊,随机分为3组(对照组、SARA组、恢复组, n=3),对照组饲喂基础饲粮,SARA组和恢复组先后饲喂NFC/NDF为1.40、1.79、2.31、3.23的4种试验饲粮诱导SARA发生,每种饲喂15 d,恢复组奶山羊诱导SARA后自由采食青干草30 d。对照组3只羊分别在饲养30、60(与SARA组同时)和90 d(与恢复组同时)屠宰。结果表明：1) SARA长期提高了血浆LPS浓度,恢复组与SARA组差异不显著( P>0.05)。2)与对照组相比,SARA组奶山羊血浆中促炎性细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子-α( TNF-α)、白细胞介素( IL)-1β和IL-6含量呈升高趋势(P>0.05),IL-2含量显著升高(P<0.05),IL-8含量呈降低趋势(P>0.05),γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)含量显著降低(P<0.05),抗炎性细胞因子IL-4和IL-10含量均呈降低趋势(P>0.05);SARA组奶山羊血浆中生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ、胰岛素含量变化不显著(P>0.05),催乳素(PRL)和皮质醇(COR)含量均显著升高(P<0.05)。3)与SARA组相比,恢复组奶山羊血浆中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6这些促炎性细胞因子的含量仍持续性升高,其中IL-1β和IL-2含量显著升高(P<0.05);恢复组奶山羊血浆中PRL含量仍维持与SARA组同一水平(P>0.05),而COR含量则回归到对照组水平( P>0.05)。本研究结果显示,SARA可引起奶山羊血浆中长时间含有一定量的LPS,引发机体免疫和炎症反应,并引起内分泌激素的变化,这一系列变化导致奶山羊长期处于应激状态。     

不同NFC/NDF比对奶山羊瘤胃微生物及瘤胃pH值变化的影响

试验研究了在不同非纤维性碳水化合物/中性洗涤纤维（NFC/NDF）比饲粮条件下诱发奶山羊亚急性瘤胃酸中毒（subacute rumen acidosis,SARA）过程中瘤胃微生物区系和瘤胃pH值的变化。该试验选用6只安装了永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳期关中奶山羊为试验动物,采用自身对照试验法,共分4期进行,每期10d,依次饲喂NFC/NDF比为1.02（Ⅰ期）、1.24（Ⅱ期）、1.63（Ⅲ期）、2.58（Ⅳ期）的4种饲粮,以逐渐增加饲粮精料的方法诱导奶山羊发生SARA。结果表明,随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增大,瘤胃pH值显著降低（P〈0.05）,并且瘤胃pH值下降幅度也随之加快;随着饲粮NFC/NDF比的增加,淀粉分解菌的数量增幅最显著（P〈0.01）;饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃细菌总数、乳酸杆菌及坏死梭形杆菌的数量显著增加（P〈0.05）,当该比值为2.58时,埃氏巨型球菌和反刍兽新月单胞菌的数量出现显著增多（P〈0.05）;原虫数量在Ⅳ期降至最低,而牛链球菌的数量在整个试验期并未出现明显的波动。饲粮NFC/NDF比为1.63时,瘤胃内与碳水化合物分解有关的多数细菌的数量明显增加,SARA期时增幅更为明显,而此时原虫数量为最低。