Reticulo-omasal Orifice Research Articles

5-hydroxytryphophan mitigates ergot alkaloid-induced suppression of serotonin and feed intake in cattle.

The impact of ergot toxicosis on livestock industries is detrimental and treatments are needed in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to ergot alkaloids and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation on feed intake, serotonin metabolism, and blood metabolites in cattle. Eight Holstein steers (538 ± 18kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. The treatments were the combination of 0 (E-) or 15 µg ergovaline/kg BW (E+) and 0 (5HTP-) or 0.5mg of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan/kg BW (5HTP+) administered daily for 6 d. Toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue seed was used to supply the daily dose of ergovaline. Endophyte-free seed was used to equalize seed intake between treatments. Ground seed was placed into the rumen immediately before feeding. The 5-HTP was dissolved in water and infused into the abomasum via the reticulo-omasal orifice. Blood was collected from a jugular vein catheter at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24h after treatment administration. Ergovaline without 5-HTP (E+/5HTP-) decreased dry matter intake (DMI) in comparison to steers without ergovaline and 5-HTP (E-/5HTP-). However, 5-HTP infusion in association with ergovaline (E+/5HTP+) normalized the DMI. Although E + did not affect (P > 0.05) the area under the curve (AUC) of serum 5-HTP, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, and kynurenine, serum and plasma serotonin concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05). The infusion of 5-HTP increased (P < 0.05) the AUC of serum 5-HTP, serum and plasma serotonin, and serum 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. In conclusion, acute exposure to ergot alkaloids reduced DMI and circulating serotonin in cattle but 5-HTP administration showed potential to normalize both circulating serotonin and feed intake.

Relationship between residual feed intake and digestive traits of fattening bulls fed grass silage- or maize silage-based diets

Several studies tried to identify digestive determinants of individual variation in feed efficiency between fattening bulls, because of their importance for breeding and management strategies. Most studies focused on single traits or single diet. Little is known about diet-dependent differences in digestive determinants and on their relative importance in distinguishing divergent residual feed intake (RFI) bulls. This research aimed (i) to identify digestive traits that differed between bulls diverging in RFI and fed a maize silage- or a grass silage-based diets; (ii) to highlight the relationships between RFI and digestive traits, and (iii) to explore the hierarchy among digestive traits in discriminating RFI divergent bulls. After an initial RFI test of 84 days on 100 Charolais growing bulls fed two different diets based on grass silage (GS), or maize silage (MS), the 32 most RFI divergent bulls were selected (eight efficient RFI− and eight inefficient RFI+ bulls per diet) and measured thereafter for total tract apparent digestibility and transit rate, enteric gas emissions (CH4 and H2), rumen pH, and feeding behaviour. Rumen particle size and visceral organ and reticulo-omasal orifice (ROO) sizes and rumen and ileum histology were measured at slaughter on the 32 selected extreme RFI bulls. Irrespective of the diet, efficient bulls (RFI−) had lower rumen size, CH4 yield (g/kg DM intake; tendency), lower number of cells in the ileal crypts, tended to have longer time of rumen pH below 5.8 and lower proportion of small size particles in rumen content than non-efficient bulls (RFI+). A long-term test for feed efficiency (197 d on average) was performed on the whole experimental period until slaughter for the 100 animals. The long-term RFI value was negatively related to time spent in activity other than ingestion, rumination, and resting, and positively related (tendency) to the duration of ingestion events, to rumen and abomasum size, irrespective of the diet. Diet-dependent effects were noted: with GS, efficient (RFI−) bulls showed a slower transit rate, whereas with MS, efficient (RFI−) bulls tended to have shorter resting events and a smaller ROO than inefficient bulls (RFI+). The transit rate and the ROO size tended to be positively related, while total tract apparent digestibility of nitrogen was negatively related to long-term RFI value, but only in GS. Rumen size appeared as the most discriminating digestive variable between RFI divergent bulls, but this result should be validated on a larger number of animals and diets.

Body weight and sex effects on digesta mean retention time in growing Saanen goats.

Despite the important role of digesta mean retention time (MRT) on digestive efficiency of ruminants, it is poorly investigated in total gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of growing ruminants, especially in goats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of body weight (BW) and sex on GIT MRT of particles and solutes in growing Saanen goats. A dataset from two studies, comprising 103 individual records of castrated males (n = 36), females (n = 34), and intact males (n = 33) Saanen goats slaughtered at 15, 22, 30, 37, and 45 kg BW, was used. Goats were fed basically with total mixed ration composed by dehydrated corn plant (Zea mays) milled to pass a 10-mm screen, cracked corn grain, and soybean (Glycine max) meal. Variables evaluated were BW, feed intake, feed intake level, composition of ingested diet, wet weight of GIT tissues, wet digesta pool size, digesta composition (dry matter and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]), indigestible NDF:NDF ratio of ingested diet and GIT digesta, MRT of particles (MRTiNDF) and solutes (MRTCr), and reticulorumen selectivity factors (large particles/solutes). Reticulorumen, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, cecum, and colon–rectum segments were evaluated. The dataset was analyzed as mixed models considering sex, BW, and sex × BW interaction as fixed effects, and study and residual error as random effects. Sex did not affect MRTiNDF in any GIT segments. Females and intact males presented similar reticulorumen MRTCr (5.6 h; P = 0.92) and they presented lower reticulorumen MRTCr than castrated males (7.0; P ≤ 0.04). Total GIT MRTCr was similar between castrated males and females (15.7 h; P = 0.11) and between females and intact males (14.2 h; P = 0.76). Body weight (BW) did not affect MRTiNDF in reticulorumen and colon–rectum and total GIT MRTCr (P ≥ 0.11). Reticulorumen and omasum MRTCr increased as BW increased (P < 0.01), and abomasum MRTCr decreased as BW increased (P = 0.02). Feed intake, and wet tissues and wet pool size of all GIT segments increased as BW increased, except abomasum wet pool size (P ≤ 0.01). The mechanism related to sex effect on MRT has to be elucidated. Reticulorumen MRTiNDF and total GIT MRTCr were modulated by intake and capacity of reticulorumen and GIT, respectively. On the other hand, reticulorumen MRTCr seemed to be regulated by reticulo-omasal orifice opening and saliva secretion.

Influence of particle size and density on mean retention time in the rumen of dairy cows

Increasing rumen-undegraded protein is one challenge of ruminant nutrition to both meet protein requirements of animals and reduce nitrogen excretion in the environment by increasing nitrogen efficiency. Industrial processes using heat or tanning to reduce rumen protein degradation have certain limitations, such as difficulty in balancing low ruminal degradation and high intestinal digestibility. Reducing the mean retention time (MRT) in the rumen by varying the size and density of particles may be another promising way to increase the rumen-undegraded protein proportion of concentrate feeds and improve the effectiveness of industrial processes. Spherical plastic particles of 3 mean diameter sizes (1, 2, and 3 mm) and 4 densities (0.9, 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5) were used to study the combined effect of size and density on the MRT of particles without interactions with microbial fermentations. Dynamics of fecal excretion of particles were monitored over 106 h (17 sampling times) in a Latin square experiment with 4 lactating cows. Cumulative particle excretion curves were fitted to a double exponential model to calculate total MRT in the digestive tract (TMRT), MRT in 2 compartments (MRT1 and MRT2), and retention time in the intestines' tubular section (TT). Differences in density had a quadratic effect, with densities of 1.1 and 1.3 yielding lower TMRT (29.5 and 31.2 h, respectively) than the densities of 0.9 and 1.5 (TMRT = 64.0 and 51.2 h, respectively). Similar responses were observed for MRT1, which was assumed to be the ruminal MRT for densities 1.1 and 1.3 (8.9 and 10.5 h, respectively) compared with densities 0.9 and 1.5 (39.6 and 22.6 h, respectively). Differences in diameter had a linear effect on TMRT (12.9 h longer for 3 mm than for 1 mm) and on TT. A combined effect of size and density was observed and particle size had no effect on TMRT when density was 1.1 to 1.3; however, outside this range, an increase in particle diameter increased TMRT. Consequently, a density of 1.2 to 1.3 is optimal for the escape of particles. As smaller particles of concentrates lose functional specific gravity more rapidly than larger particles due to their higher fermentation rate, our results, obtained with plastic particles, suggest that a diameter slightly greater than 3 mm seems a compromise to delay the start of fermentation and allow for rapid passage through the reticulo-omasal orifice.

Technical note: An improved tool to insert lines for abomasal infusion in rumen cannulated cattle

An improved tool was tested that facilitates the insertion of abomasal infusion lines in ruminally cannulated cattle for postruminal infusion studies. The insertion device was made from a 68 × 25 mm section of 20-mm i.d. stainless steel device with a weight of 125 g. The general procedure to place the tool is to pass the insertion device with the infusion line through the rumen cannula, through the sulcus omasi (reticulo-omasal orifice), and finally into the abomasum. Once inside the omasum, the insertion device is placed inside the abomasum by gently shifting the infusion line from the flexible polyvinyl chloride tubing fitted to the insertion device. The insertion device places itself by self-moving down through the abomasal orifice into the abomasum by means of its own weight. After device placement, its position can be verified by palpating through the wall of the rumen. This way, an infusion line can easily be inserted into the abomasum by any person without introducing the hand into the omasum, avoiding possible injuries to the animal and tool being expulsed of its desired position.

Fatty liver caused by partial obstruction of the reticulo-omasal orifice in colossal ingestion of Mangifera indica fruit on pregnant miniature cow – Case report

Fatty liver caused by partial obstruction of the reticulo-omasal orifice in colossal ingestion of Mangifera indica fruit on pregnant miniature cow – Case report

Fibromyxoma in the reticulo-omasal orifice of a cow

A 3-year-old female Holstein cow was referred for necropsy examination with the history of inappetence, progressive indigestion, distension of the rumen and death. At necropsy examination, a lobulated grey-white mass (12 × 8 × 5 cm) was found close to the reticulo-omasal orifice. On sectioning, the tumour mass was gelatinous with intervening fibrous septa. Microscopical examination revealed unencapsulated mass composed of various cellular parts and matrices. There were proliferated spindle shaped fibrocytes producing repetitive collagenous fibres. There were also foci of low cellularity containing stellate cells with small and hyperchromatic nuclei arranged in a mucinous ground substance. On the basis of the gross and histopathological findings and histochemical stainings, the tumour was diagnosed as a fibromyxoma. This tumour has not been recorded previously in the reticulo-omasal orifice of a cow.

Surgery of the bovine rumen

Rumenotomy and rumenostomy are commonly performed surgical procedures in cattle to relieve a variety of conditions affecting the bovine forestomachs, including hardware disease, foreign body ingestion, choke, and bloat. The location of the rumen against the left body wall makes it a convenient access point for proximal GI structures in the bovid, including the reticulum, the reticulo-omasal orifice, and the rumen itself. Although rumen surgery is commonly performed by veterinarians in both referral settings and in the field, few studies have focused on surgery of the rumen. In particular, long-term outcomes of rumen surgery in cattle have not been examined. The last retrospective study on rumen surgery, published in 1950, suggested a short-term success rate of 35/50 (70%), with 12/50 (24%) of animals dying within one month of the surgical procedure. The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate indications and outcomes (both short- and long-term) of rumenotomy and rumenostomy in cattle.

Development of a mechanistic model to represent the dynamics of particle flow out of the rumen and to predict rate of passage of forage particles in dairy cattle

A mechanistic and dynamic model was developed to represent physiological aspects of particle dynamics in the reticulo-rumen (RR) and to predict rate of passage out of the RR (Kp) of forage particles quantitatively. The model consists of 2 conceptual pools with 3 spatial compartments of particles; the compartment the particle enters is based on functional specific gravity (FSG). The model assumes 2 major pressure gradient-driven flows of particles out of the RR through the reticulo-omasal orifice between 2 consecutive primary reticular contractions. One is associated with the second phase of primary reticular contraction and involves propulsion of particles in the vicinity of the honeycomb structure of the reticulum from the RR. The second flow involves movement of particles in the reticulum without selection by size. Particle outflow rate was assumed to be proportional to liquid outflow rate. The passage coefficient, defined as the ratio of particle to liquid outflow rate, was estimated for each particle group by an equation derived from the probability of passage based on FSG and particle size. Particles retained on a 1.18-mm screen were defined as large particles. When the model was evaluated with 41 observations in an independent database, it explained 66% of the variation in observed Kp of forage particles with a root mean square prediction error of 0.009. With 16 observations that also included measurements of liquid passage rate, the model explained 81 and 86% of the variation in observed Kp liquid and Kp forage, respectively. An analysis of model predictions using a database with 455 observations indicated that the assumptions underlying the model seemed to be appropriate to describe the dynamics of forage particle flow out of the RR. Sensitivity analysis showed that probability of a particle being in the pool likely to escape is most critical in the passage of large forage particles, whereas the probability of being in the reticulum as well as in the likely to escape pool is important in the passage of small forage and concentrate particles. The FSG of a particle is more important in determining the fate of a particle than its size although they are correlated, especially for forage particles. We conclude that this model can be used to understand the factors that affect the dynamics of particle flow out of the RR and predict Kp of particles out of the RR in dairy cattle.

Diagnostic and prognostic indicators of omasal impaction in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Twelve of 46 female buffaloes with abdominal disorders were diagnosed with omasal impaction. They had been fed finely chopped machine-prepared straw. They were characterised by anorexia, an absence of defecation,...

Development of a Mechanistic Model to Represent the Dynamics of Liquid Flow Out of the Rumen and to Predict the Rate of Passage of Liquid in Dairy Cattle

A mechanistic and dynamic model was developed to represent the physiological aspects of liquid dynamics in the rumen and to quantitatively predict liquid flow out of the reticulorumen (RR). The model is composed of 2 inflows (water consumption and salivary secretion), one outflow (liquid flow through the reticulo-omasal orifice (ROO), and one in-and-out flow (liquid flux through the rumen wall). We assumed that liquid flow through the ROO was coordinated with the primary reticular contraction, which is characterized by its frequency, duration, and amplitude during eating, ruminating, and resting. A database was developed to predict each component of the model. A random coefficients model was used with studies as a random variable to identify significant variables. Parameters were estimated using the same procedure only if a random study effect was significant. The input variables for the model were dry matter intake, body weight, dietary dry matter, concentrate content in the diet, time spent eating, and time spent ruminating. Total water consumption (kg/d) was estimated as 4.893×dry matter intake (kg/d), and 20% of the water consumed by drinking was assumed to bypass the RR. The salivary secretion rate was estimated to be 210g/min during chewing. During ruminating, however, the salivation rate was assumed to be adjusted for the proportion of liquid in the rumen. Resting salivation was exponentially related to dry matter intake. Liquid efflux through the rumen wall was assumed to be the mean value in the database (4.6kg/h). The liquid outflow rate (kg/h) was assumed to be a product of the frequency of the ROO opening, its duration per opening, and the amount of liquid passed per opening. Simulations of our model suggest that the ROO may open longer for each contraction cycle than had been previously reported (about 3s) and that it is affected by dry matter intake, body weight, and total digesta in the rumen. When compared with 28 observations in 7 experiments, the model accounted for 40, 70, and 90% of the variation, with root mean square prediction errors of 9.25kg, 1.84kg/h, and 0.013h−1 for liquid content in the rumen, liquid outflow rate, and fractional rate of liquid passage, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that dry matter intake, followed by body weight and time spent eating, were the most important input variables for predicting the dynamics of liquid flow from the rumen. We conclude that this model can be used to understand the factors that affect the dynamics of liquid flow out of the rumen and to predict the fractional rate of liquid passage from the RR in dairy cattle.

Retention of different sizes of electronic identification boluses in the forestomachs of sheep1,2

Twelve types of electronic identification ruminal boluses of different dimensions were used to obtain a model for predicting their retention in the forestomachs of sheep. Boluses (n = 1,662) were made of ceramic materials, and their dimensions varied in o.d. (9 to 21 mm), length (37 to 68 mm), volume (2.5 to 21.0 mL), and specific gravity (0.85 to 3.91). Each bolus contained a half-duplex, standardized, glass-encapsulated transponder (32 x 3.8 mm). Boluses were administered to sheep (n = 1,497) of different ages by using the appropriate balling guns, and their retention under semiintensive conditions was recorded for at least 2 yr. When a bolus was lost, the sheep was rebolused with a heavier bolus. All sheep wore 2 plastic ear tags: one for the official control of health programs and the other for farm use. To determine the anatomical limit for a bolus passing through the gastrointestinal tract, the size of the reticulo-omasal orifice was measured in 46 adult sheep (male, n = 14; female, n = 32) that died by causes not related to bolus administration during the experiment. No signs of disease or growth alteration were detected in the bolused sheep. Total ear tag losses during the experiment period were 7.5% on average. Bolus retention (5 to 100%) varied according to bolus features and age of the sheep, but it showed a plateau after 18 mo. Inadequately dimensioned boluses were regurgitated or passed through the gastrointestinal tract and were excreted with the feces. The diameter of the reticulo-omasal orifice in adult sheep differed between male and female (23.1 and 21.8 mm, respectively; P < 0.01) and was greater than the o.d. of the retained boluses. Retention rate was predicted from bolus weight and volume by a logistic regression (R2 = 0.997; P < 0.001). When retention data from the literature (59.0 to 100%) were included in the model, the adjustment was slightly lower (R2 = 0.967). As a result, the minimum bolus weight estimated to reach a 99.5% retention rate in sheep varied between 16 and 45 g when volume varied between 3 and 22 mL, for boluses with a specific gravity between 2.0 and 5.2. In conclusion, bolus retention rate in sheep varied dramatically according to their features. For safe and efficient retention of electronic identification boluses in sheep, boluses of small volume and diameter (e.g., < 15 mm) with specific gravity and weight greater than 3.0 and 20 g, respectively, are recommended.

Evaluation of the retention of electronic identification boluses in the forestomachs of cattle1,2

A total of 1,203 beef calves were used to evaluate 2 series of electronic identification boluses. Calves were intensively fattened and slaughtered at approximately 1 yr of age. Series 1 (n = 576 calves) consisted of 10 types of boluses with the same external dimensions (o.d. x length: 21 x 68 mm) but varying in weight (11 to 75 g) and specific gravity (0.63 to 3.36). Six boluses were made of ceramic (5 prototypes and 1 commercial bolus) and 4 were tubes made of plastic filled with concrete. Series 2 (n = 627 calves) consisted of 3 prototypes and 5 commercial boluses of different ceramic materials varying in external dimensions (o.d.: 15 to 21 mm; length: 39 to 78 mm), weight (20 to 73 g), and specific gravity (3.00 to 3.87). Boluses were administered to milk-fed calves (2 to 5 wk of age) by using adapted balling guns. To determine the anatomical limit for a bolus passing through the gastrointestinal tract, the size of the reticuloomasal orifice was measured in 90 male and 62 female fattened calves at slaughter. Three calves in series 1 (0.3%) could not swallow the 21-mm (o.d.) bolus at the first attempt and received the bolus 1 wk later. No problems for early administration were found with thinner boluses (o.d. < 20 mm) in series 2, and no signs of disease or growth alteration were detected in any bolused calves. Retention rate until slaughter varied according to bolus features and ranged from 0 to 100% (series 1), and from 69.7 to 100% (series 2). Inadequately dimensioned boluses were regurgitated or passed through the gastrointestinal tract and were excreted with the feces. The diameter of the reticuloomasal orifice differed between male and female yearling calves (32.5 and 29.9 mm, respectively; P < 0.01) and was greater than the o.d. of the retained boluses. Retention rate was predicted from bolus weight and volume by a logistic regression (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001), in which the minimum bolus weight estimated to reach a 99.5% retention rate was 61 g when volume and specific gravity were 22.4 mL and 2.72, respectively. To achieve an effective retention rate of electronic identification boluses in the forestomachs of fattening calves, bolus volume and specific gravity, in addition to weight, should be optimized. No boluses of specific gravity lower than 3.0 and thicker than 20 mm o.d. are recommended for identification of cattle from early rearing (< 20 d of age) to slaughtering.

Disappearance of ethanol from isolated sheep rumen.

The absorption of ethanol from the rumen was studied in three British Milk sheep equipped with a rumen cannula. After removal of the rumen content and washing the forestomachs several times the reticulo-omasal orifice was closed and through the cannula 20 or 60 ml ethanol and 2 ml Cr-EDTA were infused in physiological saline. The entire fluid volume was 3000 ml. At the start of the experiment (0 min) and subsequently in the 5th, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th and 75th minutes samples were taken from the fluid present in the forestomachs. During the 75-min experiment the amount of ethanol gradually decreased in the rumen. The rate of disappearance varied according to concentration. The graph depicting the change of ruminal ethanol concentration shows a curve typical of passive transport. The equation describing the disappearance of ethanol was y = -0.0474x2 + 5.6544x + 10.869 after the administration of 20 ml ethanol, and y = -0.1377x2 + 19.541x - 24.606 after the infusion of 60 ml ethanol. It was established that ethanol was absorbed through the rumen wall by a passive transport process.

Mutualistic Fermentative Digestion in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Diversity and Evolution

All animals, including humans, are adapted to life in a microbial world. Anaerobic habitats have existed continuously throughout the history of the earth, the gastrointestinal tract being a contemporary microniche. Since microorganisms colonize and grow rapidly under the favorable conditions in the gut they could compete for nutrients with the host. This microbial challenge has modified the course of evolution in animals, resulting in selection of complex animal-microbe relationships that vary tremendously, ranging from competition to cooperation. The ecological and evolutionary interactions between herbivorous dinosaurs and the first mammalian herbivores and their food plants are reconstructed using knowledge gained during the study of modern living vertebrates, especially foregut and hindgut fermenting mammals. The ruminant is well adapted to achieve maximal digestion of roughage using the physiological mechanism at the reticulo-omasal orifice which selectively retains large particles in the reticulo-rumen. However, the most obvious feature of all ruminants is the regurgitation, rechewing and reswallowing of foregut digesta termed rumination. Foregut fermenting mammals also share interesting and unique features in two enzymes, stomach lysozyme and pancreatic ribonuclease which accompany and are adaptations to this mode of digestion. The microbial community inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract is represented by all major groups of microbes (bacteria, archaea, ciliate protozoa, anaerobic fungi and bacteriophage) and characterized by its high population density, wide diversity and complexity of interactions. The development and application of molecular ecology techniques promises to link distribution and identity of gastrointestinal microbes in their natural environment with their genetic potential and in situ activities.

Influence of papillae on post‐ruminal regulation of ingesta passage in moose (Alces alces L.)

AbstractThe variable keratin appendages of the forestomach epithelium on both sides of the reticulo‐omasal orifice, emerging in early summer and disappearing towards the winter in the moose Alces alces L. were studied. During the study period, droppings of the free‐ranging moose were collected randomly for faecal particle size distribution analysis. The morphological distribution, size and abundance of keratin end caps was recorded in moose that had died of various causes, and it correlated with the particle size distribution observed in faeces. The fusiform keratin filter of the reticulo‐omasal orifice seems to reflect the forage quality and use. It is suggested that this filter prevents the passage of non‐fragmented foliage and twig fragments of excessive size during the period of rapid and non‐selective intake of high‐quality mature forage and it disappears before the short growing season of easily available succulent vegetation with a high nutrient content.

Effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and environmental temperature on forestomach electromyographic activity and gastrointestinal contraction in sheep

Four crossover design experiments were conducted with sheep to test the hypothesis that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) affects gastrointestinal motility with implications for digesta flow. Sheep were shorn and surgically prepared with electrodes implanted on the forestomach, cannulae in the rumen, duodenum or/and ilieum, and a left gastric artery catheter. VIP (1 or 1.5 nmol min−1) or saline (control) was infused for 10 min at half-hour or hour intervals for 4 or 7 d during treatment periods. VIP transiently inhibited electromyographic (EMG) activity of the reticulum, reticulo-omasal orifice (ROO) and omasum for 3 to 8 min during the 10-min infusion periods. VIP infusion extended the duration of ROO opening (P &lt; 0.01). The gastrointestinal lumen pressure pattern was also transiently influenced by VIP, with an increase of quiescent time. Cold exposure of sheep stimulated a relatively higher motility in the ROO and omasum. The results indicate that the inhibitory effect of VIP on the reticulum, ROO and omasum electrical activity is transient; however, its action to extend the duration of opening of the ROO may facilitate digesta passage. Key words: Sheep, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, electromyographic activity, reticulo-omasal orifice

Current understanding of the role of the reticulum and reticulo-omasal orifice in the control of digesta passage from the ruminoreticulum of sheep and cattle

Simultaneous abolition of the motility of the ruminoreticulum (RR) and digesta passage from the RR by bilateral vagotomy indicate that the motility of the RR coordinated with quiescence of the reticulo-omasal orifice (ROO) are prerequisite for caudal movement of digesta from the RR and forestomach. Rate of passage is of importance in ruminant animals since it is related to maximal voluntary feed intake, extent of digestion of the diet, amount of protein which bypasses the rumen, efficiency of microbial growth, extent of methane loss, and susceptibility of animals to bloat. In a series of studies, we clarified the roles of frequency, pressure and duration of reticular contractions and the function of the ROO in controlling digesta flow from the rumen in response to changes in diets, environmental conditions and physiological status. Variability in amount of NDF and OM transferred per contraction suggests that frequency of reticular contraction is not the rate-limiting step in digesta passage from the rumen. This concept is supported by our finding that the relaxation of the ROO is not always coincidental with reticular electromyographic activity in solid meal-fed relative to milk fed sheep. The magnitude of reticular pressure may not precisely control digesta passage through the ROO as the amount of OM and NDF associated with each centimetre of pressure during contraction varies from 1.2 to 1.4 and from 0.9 to 2.5 g. On the other hand, the amount of OM and NDF passed per second of reticulum contraction varies only from 0.3 to 0.6 and from 0.2 to 0.3 g, respectively, in cattle. In addition, a 38% decrease in mean retention time of particulate matter in the rumen was associated with a 14% increase in duration of reticular contraction in cattle. Similarly, quiescence of the ROO increased from 2.9 to 3.3 s in sheep when feed intake increased from maintenance to twice maintenance. We suggest that duration of reticular contractions may be more closely related to digesta flow than is either frequency or pressure changes. We also suggest that the ruminant animal can influence reticular contraction characteristics and duration of the quiescence of the ROO in response to various stimuli and that reticular contractions are coordinated with other diet and physiological demands for optimal transfer efficiency of digesta from the RR. Key words: Digesta passage, reticular contractions, reticulo-omasal orifice, electromyographic activity

A comparison of particle breakdown during chewing by guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and sheep

To date, attempts to account for reported differences in digestive efficiency of camelids and ruminants have focused on factors such as stomach motility and the retention time of feed particles. The physical breakdown of forage into particles small enough to pass through the reticulo-omasal orifice is one of the major factors influencing the rate of passage of digesta from the reticulo-rumen in ruminants. Two of the main processes involved in particle size reduction are chewing (pre- and post-regurgitation) and microbial fermentation. While the characteristic vertical and horizontal jaw movement which occurs during mastication in the camelid is believed to allow for efficient use of the premolars and molars in cutting and grinding fibrous feeds, there have been no comparative studies to verify this, and to assess the contribution of chewing to differences in digestibility coefficients. The aim of this experiment was to directly compare particle breakdown during chewing by guanacos and sheep.

A comparison of particle breakdown during chewing by guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and sheep

To date, attempts to account for reported differences in digestive efficiency of camelids and ruminants have focused on factors such as stomach motility and the retention time of feed particles. The physical breakdown of forage into particles small enough to pass through the reticulo-omasal orifice is one of the major factors influencing the rate of passage of digesta from the reticulo-rumen in ruminants. Two of the main processes involved in particle size reduction are chewing (pre- and post-regurgitation) and microbial fermentation. While the characteristic vertical and horizontal jaw movement which occurs during mastication in the camelid is believed to allow for efficient use of the premolars and molars in cutting and grinding fibrous feeds, there have been no comparative studies to verify this, and to assess the contribution of chewing to differences in digestibility coefficients. The aim of this experiment was to directly compare particle breakdown during chewing by guanacos and sheep.