Increased fecal lactate and decreased volatile fatty acid (VFA), particularly n-butyrate concentrations in diarrheic young calves

J Vet Med Sci. 2009 Jan;71(1):117-9. doi: 10.1292/jvms.71.117.

Abstract

Using 24 diarrheic dairy calves under 8 weeks old, multiple fecal samples (4-12) were collected individually during the clinical advancing (max. 10 days) to evaluate the importance of fecal ammonia, lactate and volatile fatty acid (VFA) levels. Removing 3 calves not recovered during the sampling, 21 calves were grouped into under 3 weeks (< 3 wk; n=11) and 3-8 weeks old (3-8 wk; n=10). Data were divided into diarrheic and recovered feces with averaging in individuals. Diarrheic feces showed lower VFA and n-butyrate, and higher acetate proportions than recovered feces at <3 wk, but not at 3-8 wk. Diarrhea showed higher lactate, and lower ammonia and minor VFA (i-butyrate, valerate), which might reflect insufficiency in gut flora and fermentation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / analysis
  • Animals
  • Butyrates / analysis*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / metabolism*
  • Diarrhea / metabolism
  • Diarrhea / veterinary*
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lactic Acid / analysis*

Substances

  • Butyrates
  • Lactic Acid
  • Ammonia