Using wireless rumen sensors for evaluating the effects of diet and ambient temperature in nonlactating dairy goats

Abstract

Sixteen Murciano-Granadina dairy goats, provided with wireless rumen sensors for pH and temperature, were used to assess the rumen environment variations produced by extreme forage to concentrate diets (experiment 1) and climatic conditions (experiment 2). To avoid the interference of feed intake, goats were fed at maintenance level. Rumen sensors were inserted by surgery and programmed to collect and store rumen pH and temperature every 30min. In experiment 1, 8 dry goats (38.6±2.3kg of body weight) in tiestalls were divided into 2 groups and fed at maintenance level with 2 diets varying in forage-to-concentrate ratio [high forage (HF) 70:30; low forage (LF) 30:70] according to a crossover design. Diets were offered once daily for 4h and tap water (4 L, 9.8±0.4°C) was offered for only 30min at 6h after feeding. Rectal temperatures were recorded 3 times during the day. Rumen pH fell immediately after feeding, reaching a nadir depending on the diet (HF=6.35±0.07 at 11h after feeding; LF=6.07±0.07 at 6h after feeding) and being on average greater (0.31±0.06) in HF than LF goats. No diet effects were detected in rectal (38.2±0.1°C) and ruminal (38.9±0.1°C) mean temperatures, which were positively correlated. Rumen temperature dramatically changed by feeding (1.4±0.1°C) and drinking (-3.4±0.1°C), and 2h were necessary to return to the fasting value (38.2±0.1°C). In experiment 2, 8 dry goats (43.9±1.0kg of body weight) were kept in metabolic cages, fed a 50:50 diet and exposed to 2 climatic conditions following a crossover design. Conditions were thermoneutral (TN; 20 to 23°C day-night) and heat stress (HS; 12-h day at 37°C and 12-h night at 30°C). Humidity (40±5%) and photoperiod (light-dark, 12-12h) were similar. Goats were fed at maintenance level, the feed being offered once daily and water at ambient temperature was freely available. Intake, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate were recorded 3 times daily. Despite no differing in dry matter intake, rumen pH was lower in HS than in TN goats (-0.12±0.04). On the contrary, rumen temperature (0.3±0.1°C), rectal temperature (0.4±0.1°C), respiratory rate (77±5 breaths/min), and water intake (3.2±0.7 L/d) had a greater increase in HS than TN, which might indicate an altered microbial fermentation under high temperature conditions. In conclusion, wireless bolus sensors proved to be a useful tool to monitor rumen pH and temperature as affected by different feeding and climatic conditions.

Determinación de los efectos de algunas pastillas peletizadas en el rumen pH y temperaturas con sensores de rumen inalámbricos

“…The reliable results obtained in limited studies (3,6,8,9), but not in other studies (6). Use of WSRs in animal nutrition experiments and on-farm studies is not common.…”

“…In the present study, use of forage led to increase in rumen pH. Castro-Costa et al (8) de grupos de control y melazas en pajas de soya y paja de trigo fue similar en términos de valores de pH ruminal in vitro (Figura 3-6). La harina guar y la harina de guar + adición de melaza aumentaron el valor de pH en las pajas de soya.…”

“…En el presente estudio, el uso de forraje condujo a un aumento en el pH del rumen. Castro-Costa et al (8), monitorearon la temperatura ruminal y los cambios de pH en las cabras lecheras alimentadas con diferentes raciones (70 y 50% de forraje) y bajo diferentes condiciones climáticas (20-23°C y 30-37°C) mediante el uso de bolos. Los investigadores encontraron valores de 0,31 unidades de pH más altos en cabras alimentadas con más contenido de forraje (70%) (6.56 frente a 6.25) y 0.12 unidades menos de pH en cabras criadas a temperatura ambiente alta (30-37°C) (6.55 frente a 6.43).…”

“…Estos investigadores informaron que los bolos podrían dar resultados confiables relacionados con el pH y la temperatura del rumen y también que el consumo de agua podría determinarse por el aumento en el pH del rumen. Los valores de pH promedio determinados en el presente estudio (6.38 y 6.51) fueron similares a los reportados por Castro-Costa et al (8).…”

“…Se obtuvieron resultados confiables obtenidos en estudios limitados (3,6,8,9), pero no en otros estudios (6). El uso de WSR en experimentos de nutrición animal y estudios en fincas no es común.…”