The development and function of the rumen in milk-fed calves

Abstract

1. The volume of rumen liquor in milk-fed calves at different ages up to 32 weeks was estimated by injecting polyethylene glycol into the rumen and subsequently determining its concentration in the rumen liquor. This volume increased progressively with age in relation to unit body weight. The increase xswas approximately fourfold between 4–8 weeks on the one hand and 28–32 weeks on the other.2. The amount of milk entering the rumen during a feed was estimated at different ages up to 32 weeks by the subsequent determination of the volume and fat content of the rumen liquor. In the majority of cases less than 5% of the milk fed entered the rumen. There did not appear to be any increase in the quantities of milk entering the rumen as the calves got older.3. An estimate of the rate of flow of fluid into and out of the rumen (other than milk at feeding) was made by measuring the rate of disappearance of polyethylene glycol from the rumen. A mean figure of 255 ml./hr./100 kg. body weight s.d. ± 50 was obtained in this way. It is suggested that this value probably represents the rate of flow of saliva.4. Magnesium, in a concentration up to about 8 mg./100 ml. in the rumen liquor, did not appear to be absorbed to more than a small extent through the rumen wall.