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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213691
Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A TOOL TO INSERT ABOMASAL INFUSION LINES INTO DAIRY COWS

Author
item GRESSLEY, T - UNIV OF WISCONSIN
item REYNAL, SANTIAGO - UNIV OF WISCONSIN
item OLMOS COLMENERO, J - UNIV OF WISCONSIN
item Broderick, Glen
item ARMENTANO, LOUIS - UNIV OF WISCONSIN

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2006
Publication Date: 12/1/2006
Citation: Gressley, T.F., Reynal, S.M., Olmos Colmenero, J.J., Broderick, G.A., Armentano, L.E. 2006. Development of a tool to insert abomasal infusion lines into dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 89:3965-3967.

Interpretive Summary: All feed consumed by dairy cows and other ruminants is first subjected to an extensive microbial digestion in the rumen, the first compartment of the ruminant stomach. In dairy nutrition research, infusions are often performed into the abomasum, the last compartment of the ruminant stomach where microbes are no longer active. In cows, digestion in the abomasum occurs in the same way as in monogastric animals and humans. Abomasal infusion is used to see how a specific compound or nutrient influences the animal directly, without the intervening action of microbial digestion. We developed a device to insert an infusion tube into the abomasum through a rumen cannula (an opening into the rumen made surgically by a veterinarian). This procedure allows abomasal infusions to be done through rumen cannulas, which do not affect cow health and longevity, rather than through abomasal cannulas, which can be more harmful to the cow and may shorten its life.

Technical Abstract: A tool was developed to aid in ruminal insertion of abomasal infusion lines into dairy cows. The tool consisted of two pieces cut from polyvinyl chloride pipe. The first piece of pipe, the insertion tool, contained a groove that held the flexible plastic flange that was on the end of the infusion line. The insertion tool containing the flange was inserted into the ruminal cannula, through the sulcus omasi, and into the abomasum. The second piece of pipe, the delivery tool, was threaded through the insertion tool, and it was used to dislodge the flange from the insertion tool and into the abomasum.