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 von Engelhardt, W. Articles by Hoernicke, H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by von Engelhardt, W. Articles by Hoernicke, H.

Pump for Rapid Mixing of Rumen Contents during Experiments with Small Ruminants¹

Department of Physiology, Veterinary College, Hannover, Germany

ABSTRACT

Usually, the contents are not equally distributed throughout the rumen (4, 9, 14). Particularly, stratification occurs after feeding. In cattle, this can be found up to 20 hr after feeding (2). As a consequence, an unequal distribution of single constituents—e.g., dry matter, VFA, microorganisms—persists (3, 15, 16).

This condition makes it difficult to obtain representative samples. The problem of obtaining good samples with an esophageal tube has been discussed by Hobson (11). Samples taken through a rumen fistula are more satisfactory (6), especially when contents taken from different parts of the rumen are mixed for the sample (13). In small ruminants, the formation of layers within the rumen seems to be less pronounced (5).

Incomplete and slow mixing interferes also with the distribution of indicator substances in the rumen. Therefore, it has not been possible to follow up the more rapidly occurring metabolic or regulatory processes with the aid of such indicators.

¹ Supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.