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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Lexington, Kentucky » Forage-animal Production Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303063
Title: Analysis of rumen motility patterns using a wireless telemetry system to characterize bovine reticuloruminal contractions

Author
item EGERT, AMANDA - University Of Kentucky
item MCLEOD, KYLE - University Of Kentucky
item Klotz, James
item HARMON, DAVID - University Of Kentucky

Submitted to: Joint Meeting of the ADSA, AMSA, ASAS and PSA
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2014
Publication Date: 7/23/2014
Citation: Egert, A.M., Mcleod, K.R., Klotz, J.L., Harmon, D.L. 2014. Analysis of rumen motility patterns using a wireless telemetry system to characterize bovine reticuloruminal contractions. Joint Meeting of the ADSA, AMSA, ASAS and PSA. 92(E.Suppl.2):804.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize rumen motility patterns of cattle fed once daily. Eight ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (BW = 321 ± 11 kg) were fed alfalfa cubes once daily at 1.5 × NEm top-dressed with a TM-salt pre-mix. Three 24-h collection periods were conducted and each commenced immediately following feeding. A wireless telemetry system (emkaPACK4G telemetry system, emka TECHNOLOGIES USA, Falls Church, VA) was used to monitor real-time pressure changes in the rumen. Pressure transducers and transmitters were housed in a plastic container with screw-on lid that served as the cannula cap. A weighted (300 g), water-filled (1 L), balloon-tipped catheter was connected to the transducer through an adapter and placed below the mat in the ventral sac of the rumen. Data were recorded and stored using iox2 software (iox 2.9.4.27, emka TECHNOLOGIES USA) which utilized a rhythmic analyzer to analyze the raw rumen pressure data, identify ruminal contractions, and calculate the following parameters for each contraction: baseline pressure, peak pressure, amplitude, frequency, time to peak, relaxation time, duration, and area under the curve. Mean results were calculated for each parameter (Table 1). All parameters were affected (P < 0.0001) by animal and hour. Baseline and peak pressure of contractions increased through 14 h post-feeding, which may have been due to animals laying down more often. Amplitude of ruminal contractions was greatest the first 5 h post-feeding and then decreased quickly. Frequency, duration, and area decreased throughout the collection period, but increased shortly before the next feeding. Mean water intakes for the first and second 12 h post-feeding were 35.5 ± 2.19 L and 0.92 ± 0.26 L, respectively. These data demonstrate that wireless telemetry can be used to noninvasively monitor rumen motility patterns in freely moving steers. Feeding management impacts the values obtained and must be considered when designing experiments.