Progress in identifying sources of animal variation in susceptibility to bloat

C.S.W. Reid, M.P. Gurnsey, G.C. Waghorn and W.T. Jones

Applied Biochemistry Division, DSIR, Palmerston North

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 13-20

In animals of differing but defined susceptibility to bloat, comparative studies are being made of gastric anatomy and motility, salivary composition, total salivation rate (with/without pilocarpine), and the occurrence of "yellow bubbles" in the rumen contents. Possible differences correlating with susceptibility have been found for each parameter. Best correlations have been with "band 4" protein in saliva, and yellow bubbles (both high in highly susceptible animals). The least susceptible animal had the highest total salivation rates.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000