Particle Sizes Passed from Rumen

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Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to determine the particle size of polypropylene ribbon (PR) necessary for passage from the rumen without additional breakdown by rumination. In Experiment 1, two Jersey steers were fed 50 g each of PR 1 cm long. PR was recovered from the feces for 7 days. Recovered particles were divided into ruminated and nonruminated fractions. Total recovery was 19.6% and the non-ruminated fraction was 1.6% of the ingested particles. In Experiment 2, four steers were fed grass hay and given a single dose of 50 g each of .5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cm lengths of PR. Recovery of the nonruminated particles during the 8 days following dosing were 5.8%, 2.0%, 2.0% and .9% for the .5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cm lengths. The .5 cm length recovery was different from the others (P<.01). Total recovery was 16.4%. In Experiment 3, four rams were fed 25 g each of .25, .5 and 1.0 cm length PR. Recovery of the nonruminated PR averaged 8.2%, 4.9% and 1.3% for the .25, .5 and 1.0 cm lengths. Each mean is different from the others (P<.05). Total recovery was 33.2%. The peak recovery of nonruminated particles was during day 3 for all three lengths. The low recovery rate of PR was felt to be caused by a low escape rate of particles from the rumen ingesta mass to a position where they could be presented to the reticulo-omasal orifice. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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