Significance of rumen fluid examination

SIGNIFICANCE OF RUMEN FLUID EXAMINATION
  • Rumen fluid can be collected with the help of Rumen fluid extraction pump to diagnose various digestive and toxic problems. It is used to evaluate rumen contents, various digestive disorders and treatment, and to collect rumen fluid from a healthy animal.

Limitations

  • The animal that has been starving for considerable time.
  • The rumen content is semisolid in nature. So the rumen fluid may not be obtained by using a rumen fluid extraction pump.

Important Points to be Observed

  • About 200 ml of rumen fluid is collected for various tests.
  • The extracted rumen fluid can be kept at room temperature for 9 hrs and at 4ºC for 24 hrs.
  • Container should immediately be closed air tight.
  • During collection, discard first few ml of fluid.

Tests

  • Colour
  • Odour
  • Consistency
  • Sedimentation activity test for time
  • pH
  • Cellulose digestion test
  • MBRT
  • VFA
  • Lactic Acid
  • Titrable acidity (total acidity)
  • Chloride
  • Protozoa
  • Bacteria
Last modified: Friday, 23 September 2011, 7:19 AM