Comparison of ruminoreticular motility patterns in cattle, sheep, and goats

Abstract

Simultaneous pressure changes in four compartments of the ruminoreticulum of trained, fistulated animals in each of three species of ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) were recorded under varying conditions of animal position and activity. Motility patterns in the three species were similar in most respects. They were different in the following ways: 1) Reticular motility in sheep and goats was characterized during rest by a biphasic contraction having less relaxation between the two phases than in cattle. During rumination the first of these phases was reduced in magnitude in sheep and goats. The reticular regurgitation contraction was of longer duration in sheep and goats. 2) The sequence of contractions in the rumen was more variable in cattle. 3) In sheep and goats the secondary caudal dorsal blind sac contraction was lower in magnitude and of shorter duration than the primary contraction, whereas in cattle the primary contraction was lower in magnitude and of shorter duration.