BLOOD AND RUMINAL FLUID PROFILES IN CARBOHYDRATE-FOUNDERED CATTLE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (7) , 1005-1008
Abstract
The relationships of acetylhistamine and histamine to the clinical signs of carbohydrate-induced acidosis were investigated in beef steers. Blood pH and plasma L-lactic acid decreased and serum Na, serum K, ruminal fluid L-lactic acid, ruminal fluid histamine, and ruminal fluid and blood acetylhistamine increased in carbohydrate-engorged steers as compared with the changes in the steers while feeding on pasture (forage-fed steers). At 12-14 h after the steers had become engorged, clinical signs of laminitis (feedlot founder) were observed in 3 of 6 steers. The signs appeared 4-6 h after blood acetylhistamine attained maximal concentration (2.9997 .+-. 1.7054 .mu.g of histamine base/ml of blood) and blood pH decreased to 7.260 .+-. 0.026 at 8 h after engorgement. Blood histamine value reached 0.1298 .+-. 0.1095 .mu.g of histamine base/ml 4 h after engorgement (8-10 h before the appearance of clinical illness), but had reached maximal concentration 32 h after engorgement (0.3300 .+-. 0.028 .mu.g of histamine base/ml of blood).