SUBACUTE EXPOSURE TO BUTYRIC-ACID - IMPACT ON RUMEN FUNCTION IN CATTLE OF DIFFERENT AGE-GROUPS

Three-week intraruminal butyric acid loading (0.5 to 1.0 g/kg body wei ght, B.W.) caused differentiated digestive disorders in young as well as adult fattening bulls and dairy cows, with intensities of such diso rders depending on age, dose and time of exposure. Rumen juice odour t urned sourish, and pH values dropped slightly in all age groups. Numbe r and mobility of infusoria were not negatively affected. Disorders in rumen motoricity was exhibited by young and adult fattening bulls. Un ambiguous phenomena of indigestion with reduced feed intake and rumina tion as well as dilute pulpy faeces were recordable from young fatteni ng bulls. Sodium butyrate infusions (1.0 g/kg B.W.) caused sodium-rela ted disorders in dairy cows.