Abstract
An increased risk of acidosis in animals is associated with a high dry matter intake (DMI), which in turn results in the consumption of more fermentable organic matter (OM) in the rumen leading to a high production of volatile fatty acids (VFA). This is observed in lactating dairy cows and animals in a feedlot. Acute acidosis occurs when there is a severe drop in the pH of the rumen. A prolonged period when pH of in rumen remains low, it leads to sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA), which is a temporary imbalance between acid production and absorption. An associated change of an acute increase in the ruminal osmolarity and the accumulation of glucose and lactate in its stereoisomeric forms (D-lactate and L-lactate), is observed in the rumen fluid. However, in the sub-acute form, the accumulation of lactic acid occurs in the rumen. To a great extent, these changes in the rumen are due to high concentrations of VFA. The best way to avoid problems with ruminal acidosis is an adequate supply of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the diet, preferentially with large particle size and length to stimulate rumination and consequently greater buffering efficiency, thus maintaining the balance between pH and microorganisms in the rumen.
Highlights
Acidosis is defined as a state of high pathological acidity of the blood, increasing in ruminants and may include situations of acidity ruminal or systemic, representing the most important nutritional disorder in dairy cattle and beef cattle in feedlot
The animals with a high consumption of dry matter tend to intake more fermentable organic matter in the rumen, which results in the high production of volatile fatty acids, thereby increasing the risk of acidosis in lactating dairy cows and animals in a feedlot
The presence of glucose in the rumen fluid may favor the proliferation of Streptococcus bovis accumulation, which, according to Hungate (1968), is the main responsible microorganism for lactic acidosis
Summary
Acidosis is defined as a state of high pathological acidity of the blood, increasing in ruminants and may include situations of acidity ruminal or systemic, representing the most important nutritional disorder in dairy cattle and beef cattle in feedlot. Caused by a rapid production and absorption of acids in the rumen when excessive starch consumption (grains) or sugar in a short period of time (Russell, 2002; Pan et al, 2016). This disease is relatively a common form of metabolic acidosis, characterized by a blood lactate level greater than 5 mmol/L (normal: 1.2 mmol/L) (Plaizier et al, 2009). SARA fermentation profiles can develop when high concentrate diets are supplied even when pH is above the SARA threshold They suggest a combination of pH modulating strategies and microbial population control to reduce the consequences of this syndrome. The symptoms of acidosis are increased levels of lactic acid in rumen and blood, decreased pH of blood and in rumen, increased osmotic pressure in rumen, death of gram-negative bacteria and the proliferation of gram-positive bacteria in rumen, reduction of the number of protozoa, changes in ruminal epithelium, reduction of urine pH, dehydration, and hemoconcentration (Nagaraja & Lechtenberg, 2007)
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