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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Measurement of volatile fatty acid production rates in the c...
Journal of animal science1976; 42(6); 1465-1470; doi: 10.2527/jas1976.4261465x

Measurement of volatile fatty acid production rates in the cecum of the pony.

Abstract: Three experiments, each utilizing three ponies, were conducted using a mixed VFA solution of [1−14C] acetate, [1−14C] propionate and [2–33H] butyrate to determine VFA production rates in the cecum of the pony. Diet A used in experiment 1, contained a forage to grain ratio of 1:2, while diet B, used in experiments 2 and 3, contained a forage to grain ratio of 3:1. Experiment 1, in which a constant infusion technique was used, resulted in net VFA production rates (mmoles/min) of 3.667 to 3.977 (x̄=3.836) for acetate, .410 to 1.664 (x̄=1.213) for propionate and .342 to 1.124 (x̄=.629) for butyrate. The wide variation in rates was due to extreme values found with one animal. Experiments 2 and 3 were single injection experiments with calculated production rates in mmoles/min ranging from 3.956 to 5.778 (x̄=4.638) for acetate, 1.035 to 1.560 (x̄=1.299) for propionate and .403 to .629 (x̄=.450) for butyrate. Interconversion of the VFA, calculated from data of experiment 1, demonstrated that approximately one-half of the butyrate was derived from acetate, while only 2 to 4% of the acetate was derived from the butyrate. VFA production within the cecum accounted for approximately 30% of the digestible energy intake.
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Publication Date: 1976-06-01 PubMed ID: 931822DOI: 10.2527/jas1976.4261465xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the study carried out to measure the production rates of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the pony’s cecum by using a mixed VFA solution, with diets of varying forage to grain ratios contributing to differing VFA production rates. It provides insights into the interconversion of VFAs and the proportion of digestible energy intake accounted for by cecum VFA production.

Methodology and Experiments

  • The study conducted three experiments, utilizing three ponies for each. The main purpose of the experiments was to gauge the VFA production rates in ponies’ cecum.
  • The researchers used a mixed VFA solution that comprised [1−14C] acetate, [1−14C] propionate, and [2–33H] butyrate in each experiment.
  • Two different diets were used in the experiments. Diet A was used in the first experiment and had a forage to grain ratio of 1:2. Diet B was utilized for experiments 2 and 3 and had a 3:1 forage to grain ratio.

Experimental Results

  • The first experiment used a constant infusion technique and the net VFA production rates varied for acetate, propionate, and butyrate. A considerable variation in rates was noted due to extreme values observed in one animal.
  • In the second and third experiments, a single injection method led to acetate, propionate, and butyrate production rates within a certain range.
  • Interconversion of the VFA was calculated using data from the first experiment. It was found that about half of the butyrate was derived from acetate, while only 2 to 4% of the acetate came from butyrate.

Conclusions

  • The study showed that VFA production in the cecum accounted for about 30% of digestible energy intake, indicating the significance of VFA production in dietary energy generation.
  • By adjusting the forage to grain ratio in the diet, the VFA production rates could potentially be manipulated, which could have interesting implications for equine health and energy management.

Cite This Article

APA
Glinsky MJ, Smith RM, Spires HR, Davis CL. (1976). Measurement of volatile fatty acid production rates in the cecum of the pony. J Anim Sci, 42(6), 1465-1470. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1976.4261465x

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 0021-8812
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 6
Pages: 1465-1470

Researcher Affiliations

Glinsky, M J
    Smith, R M
      Spires, H R
        Davis, C L

          MeSH Terms

          • Acetates / metabolism
          • Animals
          • Butyrates / metabolism
          • Cecum / metabolism
          • Fatty Acids, Volatile / biosynthesis
          • Female
          • Horses / metabolism
          • Male
          • Propionates / metabolism

          Citations

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