Abstract
Sixteen Holstein-Friesian cows were slaughtered in the following physiological situations: dry and very lean (Group 1); dry and fat (Group 2); after one week of lactation and fat (Group 3); after eight weeks of lactation and very lean (Group 4). Weights of emptied reticulo-rumen, omasum, abomasum and intestines, amounts of protein and minerals in the whole digestive tract, and apparent area of reticulo-rumen were measured. Bone weight was taken as an estimate of mature body size, independent of body-fat reserves. Physiological state had no effect on digestive-tract weight and composition. Abomasum, intestine and whole tract weights were related to body fatness, but the weights of the tract excluding lipids, and estimated amounts of protein and minerals were not. The digestive tract was not significantly involved in protein and mineral mobilization or deposition. The apparent area of the reticulo-rumen varied slightly between the first and eighth weeks of lactation. Reticulo-rumen and abomasum weights were positively related to cow size.
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