Ruminal acidosis in local bucks fed on al-zahdydates Laiby.A.K. , AL-Samarrae , S.A.G. AL-Kinani, L.M.Z.

Abstract

Ruminal acidosis was induced experimentally in local bucks fed on
AL-zahdy dates at 20 and 40 g/kg B.W. daily. Two groups of five animals
each beside another group of five animals as a control reseved 20g/kg B.W.
of concentrates beside green roughage. One animal from each group was
surgically provided with ruminal fistula. The experiments lasted for four
weeks during which the animals examined clinically daily, and ruminal fluid
and blood samples were collected weekly.The results showed that the
animals in the two experimental groups show significant rise in the means of
respiratory and pulse rates,but not in body temperature.The ruminal
contractions ranged between weak and reduced in the 1st experiment to
temporary loss of contractions in the 2nd experiment. All experimental goats
manifested weakness, depression, loss of appetite, however, temporary
recumbency was noticed in the goats of the 2nd experiment. The color of the
ruminal fluid was light to dark green in the control group while the
experimental groups showed light to dark brown color .The pH reached it's
lowest levels, and the number and activity of the microflor altered after
amount of feeding on dates in the experimental groups to become reduced or
dead after six and five hours respectively. The positive to negative bacterial
ratio changed in the experimental groups. The level of volatile fatty acids,
lactic acid concentrations and ammonia nitrogen in the rumen increased.
Also the experimental animals showed biochemical changes in all blood
parameters. Feeding of bucks on 20 g/kg B.W.of Al-Zahdy dates daily
caused a simple form of ruminal acidosis, while 40 g/kg B.W.of dates daily
caused the subacute form of acidosis.