THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHLOROPHYLL IN RUMEN CONTENTS AND THE ONSET OF BLOAT IN CATTLE

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Abstract
Chlorophyll levels in rumen contents from the dorsal and ventral sac were examined before alfalfa ingestion to determine the relationship of chloroplast particles to the onset of pasture bloat in cattle. Chlorophyll concentrations were significantly higher in cattle that subsequently bloated than in those that did not. The higher levels were observed in both the liquid and solid phases of rumen contents from cattle predisposed to bloat but the liquid phase showed a greater increase. Chlorophyll levels were uniformly distributed in the rumen with little or no difference between samples obtained from the ventral and dorsal sacs. In agreement with previous results, animals predisposed to bloat showed higher rates of gas production and greater buoyancy of particulate matter in prefeeding rumen fluid. The results suggest that chloroplast particles in the rumen have a slower rate of clearance in bloating animals than in nonbloating ones. Key words: Bloat, alfalfa, cattle, rumen, chlorophyll, chloroplast particles