Influence of ruminal butyrate supply on net nutrient producti0n and absorption in steers

Abstract

Six Holstein steers were used to evaluate the effects of increasing ruminal butyrate on net nutrient production and absorption by the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Ruminal and arterial concentrations and net hepatic flux of butyrate increased with increasing butyrate infusion. Concentrations of glucose and a-amino-N in arterial blood decreased as butyrate infusion increased. Of the ruminal butyrate infused, 24.5% appeared in portal blood as butyrate. Acetoacetate, D-β-hydroxybutyrate, and a-amino-N were the nutrients most altered by increasing ruminal butyrate.