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Studies on the Alterations In Blood Sugar and Rumen Fluid Following Peroral Administration of Readily Available Carbohydrates to Dairy Cows

Summary

After peroral administration of 10 % NaHCO3 solution + glucose the rise in blood sugar was greater than after glucose alone. This indicates that the oesophageal groove reflex can be released also in adult cattle. By this means part of the glucose administered probably passed direct to the abomasum — small intestine without first being converted into volatile fatty acids in the rumen. The blood sugar rise was diphasic, the first coming after 1 and 2 hrs. and the second after 12 and 24 hrs. Six hrs. after the ration there was no rise. After administration of NaHCO3 + fructose most of the cows had severe diarrhoea and the blood sugar value was unaffected. The changes in composition of the rumen fluid after NaHGO3 + glucose and after NaHCO3 + fructose were similar with the exception that the rumen pH was lower after the fructose ration.

In another experiment a comparison was made between the effects on blood sugar level and rumen fluid of molasses (saccharose) and whey (lactose) administered perorally. Molasses caused a manifest rise in blood sugar 6, 12 and 24 hrs. after the administration, whereas after whey the blood sugar level had risen only slightly at the same time. The molasses were quickly converted in the rumen, and the molar proportions of the volatile fatty acids formed were unaffected. The whey was broken down considerably more slowly and under formation of considerably more HAc and HBu than in the case of molasses. This is interpreted in the manner that the whey concentrate used should have a potentially positive effect on the milk fat content.

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Pehrson, B., Wallin, O. Studies on the Alterations In Blood Sugar and Rumen Fluid Following Peroral Administration of Readily Available Carbohydrates to Dairy Cows. Acta Vet Scand 9, 91–104 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547875

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547875