Ruminal acidosis in local bucks fed on al-zahdydates

Abstract

Ruminal acidosis was induced experimentally in local bucks fed on AL-zahdy dates at 20 and 40 g/kg B.W. daily. Two groups of five animals each beside another group of five animals as a control reseved 20g/kg B.W. of concentrates beside green roughage. One animal from each group was surgically provided with ruminal fistula. The experiments lasted for four weeks during which the animals examined clinically daily, and ruminal fluid and blood samples were collected weekly.The results showed that the animals in the two experimental groups show significant rise in the means of respiratory and pulse rates,but not in body temperature.The ruminal contractions ranged between weak and reduced in the 1st experiment to temporary loss of contractions in the 2nd experiment. All experimental goats manifested weakness, depression, loss of appetite, however, temporary recumbency was noticed in the goats of the 2nd experiment. The color of the ruminal fluid was light to dark green in the control group while the experimental groups showed light to dark brown color .The pH reached it's lowest levels, and the number and activity of the microflor altered after amount of feeding on dates in the experimental groups to become reduced or dead after six and five hours respectively. The positive to negative bacterial ratio changed in the experimental groups. The level of volatile fatty acids, lactic acid concentrations and ammonia nitrogen in the rumen increased. Also the experimental animals showed biochemical changes in all blood parameters. Feeding of bucks on 20 g/kg B.W.of Al-Zahdy dates daily caused a simple form of ruminal acidosis, while 40 g/kg B.W.of dates daily caused the subacute form of acidosis.