Statistical prediction of rumen volume in friesian bulls using four different markers and live body weight [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Twenty four Friesian bulls with a mean live body weight of 450±32 Kg, belonging to Sakha experimental farms were used in the present study under the same dietary regime. The rumen volume and flow rate were estimated from the rate of decline in concentration of a marker in the rumen fluid following a single ruminal injection. The results of several determination methods of rumen volume using different markers (lithium sulphate, polyethelienglycol, Cr-EDTA and Cr₂O₃ ) gave similar values with differences ranging from 6 to 18%. Rumen volumes as determined by different methods are significantly (p<0.01) correlated with live body weight. The correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.60 to 0.79. The direct determination of rumen volume were done by substituting rumen content by water (physical volume) gave rumen volume values ranged from 30 to 36% higher them that estimated by using marker methods. The flow rate of rumen contents was affected significantly (p<O.05) according markers. The values of flow rate ranged from 3.5 % to 4.9% from the total volume per hour. This values equipoise discharge rate ranged from 84 to 1.25 times per day. Using Polyethyleneglycole gave the nearest estimated value to the true rumen volume (Physical volume) r =0.92 comparing with the rest used markers.

Summary in Arabic.

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