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Incidence of Ruminal Parakeratosis in Calves Fed Different Rations and Its Relation to Volatile Fatty Acid Absorption¹

Departments of Dairy Science, Veterinary Anatomy, and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

ABSTRACT

Four trials were conducted to determine the effects of various rations on the incidence of ruminal parakeratosis and certain biochemical conditions in the rumen. In addition, the effect of parakeratosis on volatile fatty acid (VFA) absorption from the rumen was determined.

In Trial 1 and in the absorption study, parakeratosis was observed in all calves fed a 1:1 ratio of grain and alfalfa hay in pelleted form, but not to any extent in calves fed grain and wafered or long hay. In the other trials, very little parakeratosis occurred in calves on any of the rations; however, extensive dumping of the papillae was observed in the rumen of calves fed a 4:1 ratio of grain to hay. The pH of the rumen fluid from calves fed pelleted hay was lower than that of those fed long or wafered hay, but this was not associated with development of parakeratosis in two of the trials. There were no definite changes in the proportion of ruminal VFA associated with the occurrence of parakeratosis.

There was less absorption of VFA from a test solution introduced into the emptied rumen of calves having parakeratosis than for control calves, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Comparison of the molar proportion of VFA introduced into the rumina with the proportion remaining at the end of a 2-hr test period indicated a lower specific rate of absorption for acetic than for the other acids under conditions of this study.

¹ Taken from theses presented to the Graduate School, Oklahoma State University, by L. S. Bull and B. Harris, Jr. in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees, respectively.

² Present address: Department of Animal Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

³ Present address: Extension Dairyman, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.