Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T20:24:09.624Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Postmortem observations on rumen wall histology and gene expression and ruminal and caecal content of beef cattle fattened on barley-based rations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 December 2019

N. N. Jonsson Open the ORCID record for N. N. Jonsson [Opens in a new window] ,
H. J. Ferguson ,
H. H. C. Koh-Tan ,
C. A. McCartney ,
R. C. Cernat ,
E. M. Strachan ,
W. Thomson ,
T. J. Snelling ,
C. D. Harvey  and
I. Andonovic
...Show all authors
N. N. Jonsson*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
H. J. Ferguson
Affiliation:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
H. H. C. Koh-Tan
Affiliation:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
C. A. McCartney
Affiliation:
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
R. C. Cernat
Affiliation:
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
E. M. Strachan
Affiliation:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
W. Thomson
Affiliation:
Harbro Ltd, Aberdeenshire AB53 4PA, UK
T. J. Snelling
Affiliation:
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
C. D. Harvey
Affiliation:
Harbro Ltd, Aberdeenshire AB53 4PA, UK
I. Andonovic
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G1 1XW, UK
C. Michie
Affiliation:
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Strathclyde University, Glasgow G1 1XW, UK
R. J. Wallace
Affiliation:
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can reduce the production efficiency and impair the welfare of cattle, potentially in all production systems. The aim of this study was to characterise measurable postmortem observations from divergently managed intensive beef finishing farms with high rates of concentrate feeding. At the time of slaughter, we obtained samples from 19 to 20 animals on each of 6 beef finishing units (119 animals in total) with diverse feeding practices, which had been subjectively classified as being high risk (three farms) or low risk (three farms) for SARA on the basis of the proportions of barley, silage and straw in the ration. We measured the concentrations of histamine, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lactate and other short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in ruminal fluid, LPS and SCFA in caecal fluid. We also took samples of the ventral blind sac of the rumen for histopathology, immunohistopathology and gene expression. Subjective assessments were made of the presence of lesions on the ruminal wall, the colour of the lining of the ruminal wall and the shape of the ruminal papillae. Almost all variables differed significantly and substantially among farms. Very few pathological changes were detected in any of the rumens examined. The animals on the high-risk diets had lower concentrations of SCFA and higher concentrations of lactate and LPS in the ruminal fluid. Higher LPS concentrations were found in the caecum than the rumen but were not related to the risk status of the farm. The diameters of the stratum granulosum, stratum corneum and of the vasculature of the papillae, and the expression of the gene TLR4 in the ruminal epithelium were all increased on the high-risk farms. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-1β and the counts of cluster of differentiation 3 positive and major histocompatibility complex class two positive cells were lower on the high-risk farms. High among-farm variation and the unbalanced design inherent in this type of study in the field prevented confident assignment of variation in the dependent variables to individual dietary components; however, the CP percentage of the total mixed ration DM was the factor that was most consistently associated with the variables of interest. Despite the strong effect of farm on the measured variables, there was wide inter-animal variation.

Keywords

acidosispathologypHdietpapillae
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 14 , Issue 7 , July 2020 , pp. 1447 - 1460
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

a

Present address: SRUC Dairy Research and Innovation Centre, Hestan House, The Crichton DG1 4TA, UK

References

Aschenbach, JR, Penner, GB, Stumpff, F and Gäbel, G 2011. Ruminant nutrition symposium: role of fermentation acid absorption in the regulation of ruminal pH. Journal of Animal Science 89, 1092–1107.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beauchemin, KA and Yang, WZ 2005. Effects of physically effective fiber on intake, chewing activity, and ruminal acidosis for dairy cows fed diets based on corn silage. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 2117–2129.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, Y, Oba, M and Guan, LL 2012. Variation of bacterial communities and expression of Toll-like receptor genes in the rumen of steers differing in susceptibility to subacute rumen acidosis. Veterinary Microbiology 159, 451–459.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, KA, Rasmussen, MA and Allison, MJ 1997. Digestive disorders and nutritional toxicity. In The rumen microbial ecosystem (ed. Hobson, PN and Stewart, CS), 2nd edition, pp 633–660. Blackie Academic and Professional, London, UK.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Nardi, R, Marchesini, G, Stefani, AL, Barberio, A and Andrighetto, I 2014. Effect of feeding fine maize particles on the reticular pH, milk yield and composition of dairy cows. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 98, 504–510.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Denwood, MJ, Kleen, JL, Jensen, DB and Jonsson, NN 2018. Describing temporal variation in reticuloruminal pH using continuous monitoring data. Journal of Dairy Science 101, 233–245.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gao, X and Oba, M 2014. Relationship of severity of subacute ruminal acidosis to rumen fermentation, chewing activities, sorting behavior, and milk production in lactating dairy cows fed a high-grain diet. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 3006–3016.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garrett, EF 1996. Subacute rumen acidosis. Large Animal Veterinarian 51, 6–10.Google Scholar
Garrett, EF, Nordlund, KV, Goodger, WJ and Oetzel, GR 1997. A cross-sectional field study investigating the effect of periparturient dietary management on ruminal pH in early lactational cows. Journal of Dairy Science 80 (suppl. 1), 112.Google Scholar
Gimeno, A, Alami, AA, Yanez-Ruiz, DR, De Vega, A, Schauf, S, Fondevila, M and Castrillo, C 2016. Effect of cereal processing (grinding to 3·5 mm or dry-rolling) in maize- or barley-based high-concentrate diets on rumen environment of beef cattle during the late fattening period. Journal of Agricultural Science 199, 113–126.Google Scholar
Golder, HM, Celi, P, Rabiee, AR, Heuer, C, Bramley, E, Miller, DW, King, R and Lean, IJ 2012. Effects of grain, fructose, and histidine on ruminal pH and fermentation products during an induced subacute acidosis protocol. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 1971–1982.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Golder, HM, Denman, SE, McSweeney, C, Wales, WJ, Auldist, MJ, Wright, MM, Marett, LC, Greenwood, JS, Hannah, MC, Celi, P, Bramley, E and Lean, IJ 2014. Effects of partial mixed rations and supplement amounts on milk production and composition, ruminal fermentation, bacterial communities, and ruminal acidosis. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 5763–5785.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Golder, HM, Lean, IJ, Rabiee, AR, King, R and Celi, P 2013. Effects of grain, fructose, and histidine feeding on endotoxin and oxidative stress measures in dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 7881–7891.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gonzalez, LA, Manteca, X, Calsamiglia, S, Schwartzkopf-Genswein, KS and Ferret, A 2012. Ruminal acidosis in feedlot cattle: Interplay between feed ingredients, rumen function and feeding behavior (a review). Animal Feed Science and Technology 172, 66–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gozho, GN, Plaizier, JC, Krause, DO, Kennedy, AD and Wittenberg, KM 2005. Subacute ruminal acidosis induces ruminal lipopolysaccharide endotoxin release and triggers an inflammatory response. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 1399–1403.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harmon, DL, Britton, RA, Prior, RL and Stock, RA 1985. Net portal absorption of lactate in volatile fatty acids in steers experiencing glucose induced acidosis or fatty 70% concentrate diet ad libitum. Journal of Animal Science 60, 560.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kleen, JL and Cannizzo, C 2012. Incidence, prevalence and impact of SARA in dairy herds. Animal Feed Science and Technology 172, 4–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kleen, JL, Hooijer, GA, Rehage, J and Noordhuizen, JPTM 2009. Subacute ruminal acidosis in Dutch dairy herds. Veterinary Record 164, 681–684.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Li, S, Khafipour, E, Krause, DO, Kroeker, A, Rodriguez-Lecompte, JC, Gozho, GN and Plaizier, JC 2012. Effects of subacute ruminal acidosis challenges on fermentation and endotoxins in the rumen and hindgut of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 294–303.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loncke, C, Ortigues-Marty, I, Vernet, J, Lapierre, H, Sauvant, D and Nozière, P 2009. Empirical prediction of net portal appearance of volatile fatty acids, glucose, and their secondary metabolites (beta-hydroxybutyrate, lactate) from dietary characteristics in ruminants: a meta-analysis approach. Journal of Animal Science 87, 253–268.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mohammed, R, Stevenson, DM, Weimer, PJ, Penner, GB and Beauchemin, KA 2012. Individual animal variability in ruminal bacterial communities and ruminal acidosis in primiparous Holstein cows during the periparturient period. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 6716–6730.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morgante, M, Stelletta, C, Berzaghi, P, Gianesella, M and Andrighetto, I 2007. Subacute rumen acidosis in lactating cows: an investigation in intensive Italian dairy herds. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 91, 226–234.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nagaraja, TG and Titgemeyer, EC 2007. Ruminal acidosis in beef cattle: the current microbiological and nutritional outlook. Journal of Dairy Science 90 (suppl. 1), E17–E38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nasrollahia, SM, Zali, A, Ghorbani, GR,  Shahrbabaka, MM, Heydari, M and Abadi, S 2017. Variability in susceptibility to acidosis among high producing mid-lactation dairy cows is associated with rumen pH, fermentation, feed intake, sorting activity, and milk fat percentage. Animal Feed Science and Technology 228, 72–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nocek, JE 1997. Bovine acidosis: implications on laminitis. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 1005–1028.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Penner, GB, Aschenbach, JR, Gabel, G, Rackwitz, R and Oba, M 2009. Epithelial capacity for apical uptake of short chain fatty acids is a key determinant for intraruminal pH and the susceptibility to subacute ruminal acidosis in sheep. Journal of Nutrition 139, 1714–1720.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Penner, GB, Steele, MA, Aschenbach, JR and McBride, BW 2011. Ruminant nutrition symposium: molecular adaptation of ruminal epithelia to highly fermentable diets. Journal of Animal Science 89, 1108–1119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pilachai, R, Schonewille, JT, Thamrongyoswittayakul, C, Aiumlamai, S, Wachirapakorn, C, Everts, H and Hendriks, WH 2012. The effects of high levels of rumen degradable protein on rumen pH and histamine concentrations in dairy cows. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 96, 206–213.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Plaizier, JC, Khafipour, E, Li, S, Gozho, GN and Krause, DO 2012. Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), endotoxins and health consequences. Animal Feed Science and Technology 172, 9–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plaizier, JC, Krause, DO, Gozho, GN and McBride, BW 2008. Subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows: The physiological causes, incidence and consequences. Veterinary Journal 2008, 21–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
R Core Team 2015. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for StatisticalComputing. URL http://www.R-project.org/Google Scholar
Richardson, AJ, Calder, AG, Stewart, CS and Smith, A 1989. Simultaneous determination of volatile and non-volatile acidic fermentation products of anaerobes by capillary gas chromatography. Letters in Applied Microbiology 9, 5–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Russell, JB and Hino, T 1985. Regulation of lactate production in Streptococcus bovis: a spiraling effect that contributes to rumen acidosis. Journal of Dairy Science 68, 1712–1721.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Santos, MB, Robinson, PH, Williams, P and Losa, R 2010. Effects of addition of an essential oil complex to the diet of lactating dairy cows on whole tract digestion of nutrients and productive performance. Animal Feed Science and Technology 157, 64–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwaiger, T, Beauchemin, KA and Penner, GB 2013. The duration of time that beef cattle are fed a high-grain diet affects the recovery from a bout of ruminal acidosis: dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation. Journal of Animal Science 91, 5729–5742.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Slyter, LL 1976. Influence of acidosis on rumen function. Journal of Animal Science 43, 910–929.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steele, MA, Croom, J, Kahler, M, AlZahal, O, Hook, SF, Plaizier, K and McBride, BW 2011. Bovine epithelium undergoes rapid structural adaptations during grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 300, R1515–R1523.Google ScholarPubMed
Titgemeyer, EC and Nagaraja, TG 2006. Ruminal acidosis in beef cattle: the current nutritional outlook. Journal of Animal Science 84, 153–154.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Jonsson et al. supplementary material

Jonsson et al. supplementary material

Download Jonsson et al. supplementary material(File)
File 345 KB