HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bartley, E. E. Articles by Yadava, I. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bartley, E. E. Articles by Yadava, I. S.

Bloat in Cattle. II. Its Development on Alfalfa Pasture after Inoculation of Empty Rumina with Autoclaved or Fresh Rumen Fluid¹

Departments of Dairy Husbandry and Bacteriology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

ABSTRACT

Recent research has indicated a relationship between rumen microflora and bloat. It has been suggested that slime production by rumen microorganisms contributes to feed-lot bloat (7) and to frothy legume bloat (6). Bacteria capable of degrading alfalfa saponin with a concomitant production of slime have been isolated from the rumen (4). An increase in the numbers of Streptococcus bovis type streptococci and Peptostreptococcus elsdenii during the onset of feed-lot bloat has been observed (5). Temporary control of bloat by antibiotics (1, 2) further suggests an association between microorganisms and bloat. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether an animal would bloat on legume pasture after being deprived of practically all its rumen microflora by completely emptying the rumen before pasturing.

Four sets of fistulated identical-twin dry cows were pastured in early June on a succulent second-growth alfalfa pasture that provoked severe frothy bloat in a majority of other animals. One set of twins (A1–A2) was pastured daily and served as a control.

¹ Contribution No. 293, Department of Dairy Husbandry; No. 365, Department of Bacteriology, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, Kansas.