Extent of Digestion in the Rumen-Reticulum-Omasum of Goats

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Abstract
The extent of digestion in the rumen-reticulum-omasum was studied in goats having the forestomach separated and fed roughage alone, hay with concentrates, and nonprotein diet, quantitatively determining the amount of omasal ingesta. The absorption of digestible organic matter ranged from 61.7 to 85.4%. The apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein varied widely, being positively related to dietary protein levels. Absorption of digestible protein ranged from -20.0 to 52.1%. In animals fed roughage alone 61.9 to 73.2% of digestible ether-extract disappeared from the rumen, but in animals fed concentrates and hay, smaller amounts (-2.9 to 28.8%) were absorbed. Almost all of the digestible crude fiber disappeared from the forestomach. Of the digestible NFE 65.7-96.9% was absorbed. Except in one trial, crude ash showed negative values, due to the large amount of saliva secreted into the rumen. The true digestibility of protein in the forestomach, and the amount of saliva secreted, also were studied.