Abstract:
THE EFFECT OF FAT SOURCE ON ABOMASAL AND ILEAL FLOW IN THE PRERUMINANT CALF R.J. JOHNSON* and JANE LEIBHOLZ* Although a considerable amount of data has been published on the effect of pregastric esterase on the hydrolysis of different fat sources in vitro (Siewart and Otterby 1971; Hamilton and Raven 1973) there is a paucity of quantitative information on the effect of fat source on the \ digestive function of the preruminant calf. Also, certain disparities are evident between results. In the present experiment, six Friesian bull calves, fitted with re.entrant cannulae in the duodenum and ileum within the first two weeks of life, were fed skim milk or skim milk with either butterfat, tallow or soyabean oil added at 30% of the dry matter. All milk replacers, dissolved in warm water at the rate of 500 g/3500 ml, were fed once daily, and after a digestibility trial lasting between two to six d the total flows of abomasal and ileal digesta were sampled for 24 h. As evident from preliminary results presented in the table, there are quantitative differences in the flow of digesta from the abomasum and ileum of calves fed milk replacers with differing sources of fat. Analyses are continuing in order to determine the fatty acid composition of the digesta. REFERENCES Hamilton, Rosemary K., and Raven, A.M. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 24: 257. Siewart, K.L., and Otterby, D.E. (F71) Journal of Dairy Science, 54: 528 . (1973) l l * M.C. Franklin Laboratory, Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Sydney, Camden, N.S.W. 2570. 19P
