Characterization of Oligofructose-Induced Acute Rumen Lactic Acidosis and the Appearance of Laminitis in Zebu Cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize oligofructose-induced acute rumen lactic acidosis and its consequences in zebu cattle. We used 29 Nellore heifers which were submitted to experimental induction of laminitis by oligofructose excess. During the induction period, the animals underwent clinical examination, including laminitis diagnosis (hoof pressure testing and locomotion score) and blood and ruminal fluid sampling every six hours (over the initial 24 h) and every 12 h (up to 72 h), after the highest dose. Almost half of the animals (48.1%) required treatment with bicarbonate and saline to correct metabolic acidosis and dehydration. Due to this treatment, the animals were analyzed in treated (n = 13) and non-treated (n = 14) groups. The induction model promoted marked reduction in rumen pH, rumen anaerobiosis, carbon dioxide pressure, and increase in rumen lactate, blood osmolarity, and cortisol concentration. The animals treated had lower values of rumen pH and marked dehydration, evidenced by the increase in globular volume and serum urea. The clinical condition caused by excess oligofructose is severe, with the differential of the appearance of ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation against systemic acidosis, in addition to the frequent appearance of laminitis.

Evaluation of infrared thermography, force platform and filmed locomotion score as non-invasive diagnostic methods for acute laminitis in zebu cattle

“…We designed a prospective experimental study, in which the animals were initially subjected to induction of acute ruminal lactic acidosis using oligofructose, according to a methodology adapted from Thoefner et al [7] and described elsewhere [1], with the administration of 15.3 g of oligofructose (Beneo P95, Orafti Active Food Ingredients, Chile) per kg of body weight (BW) per animal. Briefly, each heifer received 1.53 g/kg BW (adaptation doses) of oligofructose per day for three consecutive days followed by one main dose of 10.71 g/kg, totaling the 15.3 g of oligofructose per kg of body weight per animal during four consecutive days.…”

“…Laminitis is considered a systemic disease with manifestation in the digits, in which there are vascular and degenerative changes of the laminar chorion, affecting the positioning and mobility of the digital phalanx within the horn case [1,2]. Laminitis is a major foot disease in ruminants, but its pathogenesis is still not fully understood [3].…”

Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in Zebu Cattle: Clinical and Behavioral Aspects

“…As the clinical symptoms of SARA in the herd are more subtle, animals can suffer repeatedly from this “silent” condition, which will decrease their performance and reduce their weight gain [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In addition to this, SARA causes the reduction of several commensal cellulolytic rumen bacteria species [ 11 ].…”

“…This is done to cause an adequate manifestation of SARA with the accumulation of SCFAs and some production of lactic acid, thereby increasing fluid osmolarity and causing changes in feeding behavior, rumination time, decubitus time, and overall resting duration. Additionally, the feeding behavior and restoration of normal feed intake after the occurrence of SCFA acidosis varies widely among individuals [10,16]. Here, we studied whether such recovery parameters were related to the amount of SCFA and lactate produced during SARA.…”