Clinical Chemical Comparative Examination of Ruminal Samples Collected by Means of a Naso-Ruminal Sampler

Abstract

Samples of ruminal fluid collected with the COMET naso-ruminal sampler and by two other methods through fistula were subjected to comparative clinical chemical examination. It was found that the mean values of pH and buffer capacity were nearly identical for all three methods. The greatest variation between the methods were found for reduction time of methylene blue owing to different dry matter contents in the samples. The VFA contents were nearly identical in all three samples.

In conclusion, it was found that it is possible to obtain ruminal samples that are representative of the biochemical status in the rumen by means of the COMET naso-ruminal sampler in non-fistulated cows.

Sammendrag

Ved en sammenlignende klinisk kemisk undersøgelse af vomsaftprøver opsamlet gennem dels vomfistel (2 metoder) og dels ved Comet Naso-Ruminal Prøveopsamler fandtes næsten identiske resultater for pH, bufferkapacitet og indhold af flygtige fede syrer. Den største variation mellem opsamlingsmetoderne fandtes for reduktionstiden for metylenblåt, sandsynligvis som følge af forskelle i prøvernes tørstofkoncentration.

Det konkluderes, at det ved hjælp af Comet Naso-Ruminal Prøveopsamler er muligt at opsamle enkelte såvel som serier af vomsaftprøver (dage, uger), som er repræsentative for den biokemiske status i vommen.