Acute phase protein response during acute ruminal acidosis in cattle

The aim of the study was to describe the acute phase protein and leukocyte responses in dairy heifers during acute, oligofructose-induced ruminal acidosis. The study included 2 trials involving oral oligofructose overload (17 g/kg BW) to nonpregnant Danish Holstein heifers. Trial 1 included 12 heifers all receiving oligofructose, and the experiment consisted of a 3 day control period prior to overload and 9 days surveillance afterwards. Eight heifers were fed grass hay and 4 were fed barley silage. Trial 2 included 10 heifers receiving oligofructose, 4 were euthanized 24 h after overload and 6 were euthanized 72 h after overload. Six heifers received tap water as control treatment and were euthanized 72 or 96 h later. Sampling of blood was performed at 6–48 hour intervals. Samples were analyzed for serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen, and total white blood cell counts (WBC) were performed.