Dietary Effects on Abomasal Motility in Cattle

Abstract

This experiment was an attempt to provide additional information on the nutritional etiopathogenesis of abomasal displacement in cattle and stimulate more attention to the prepartum and early postpartum feeding of cattle to prevent abomasal displacement. The objectives of this study were: ( 1) to determine the effect of various rations on abomasal electromyographic activity, contractile strength and intraluminal pressure changes and ( 2) to determine the relationship of rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and abomasal VF A concentration to abomasal motility. Contrary to Swenson's findings we did not see an increase in abomasal contractions during a corn silage diet, neither on grass diet. We can therefore seriously question the theory that cows on an increased concentrate diet have decreased abomasal motility which predisposes them to abomasal displacement.