Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001, India
Online published on 21 January, 2012.
In three experiments with male fistulated buffalo calves, the rumen fluid volume and flow rate of liquid digesta were determined using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a marker. In experiment I, the animals were fed iso-caloric diet and in experiment II, the animals were provided oil as a source of energy. In experiment III, urea was provided to replace 40 percent of the DCP requirement of the animals and oil as a source of energy. Rumen fluid volume was positively and significantly correlated with body weight, dry matter intake and water intake of the animals. The inclusion of urea in the ration increased rumen fluid volume and the rate of liquid digesta How but the addition of oil did not have any effect. A combined multiple regression equation relating rumen fluid volume with body weight, dry matter intake and water intake of the animals has been developed.
