Characterization of Oligofructose-Induced Acute Rumen Lactic Acidosis and the Appearance of Laminitis in Zebu Cattle.
Authors: Sousa Rejane Dos Santos, Oliveira Francisco Leonardo Costa de, Dias Mailson Rennan Borges, Minami Natalia Sato, Amaral Leonardo do, Santos Juliana Aparecida Alves Dos, Barrêto Júnior Raimundo Alves, Minervino Antonio Humberto Hamad, Ortolani Enrico Lippi
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers experimentally induced acute rumen acidosis in 29 Nellore heifers using oligofructose overload to characterise the metabolic cascade leading to laminitis, a condition relevant to understanding grain-related digestive crises in cattle and potentially other species. The protocol involved intensive monitoring over 72 hours post-dosing, with clinical assessments (hoof pressure testing and locomotion scoring) paired with serial blood and ruminal fluid sampling to track pH, lactate accumulation, osmolarity, and cortisol dynamics. Nearly half the animals (48.1%) developed severe enough metabolic acidosis and dehydration to require bicarbonate and saline intervention, those treated animals displaying markedly lower rumen pH alongside increased packed cell volume and serum urea indicating significant fluid shifts. Key findings included pronounced ruminal lactate accumulation, reduced rumen anaerobiosis, elevated blood osmolarity and cortisol concentrations, with laminitis appearing frequently alongside unexpected signs of ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation mechanisms. For equine professionals, these findings underscore how rapidly fermentable carbohydrate overload triggers a multi-system crisis extending beyond simple acidosis—the appearance of stress markers and secondary clinical signs warrants consideration when managing horses with access to excessive grain or oligofructose-containing supplements, and suggests that treatment protocols addressing both acid-base status and dehydration are critical to minimising laminitis risk.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Acute ruminal acidosis from concentrate overload is a severe condition in cattle requiring rapid intervention; nearly half of affected animals need aggressive fluid and electrolyte therapy to prevent metabolic collapse and laminitis
- •Laminitis is a predictable consequence of severe ruminal acidosis in cattle and should be monitored clinically using hoof pressure testing and locomotion scoring during acute acidosis episodes
- •Early recognition of systemic signs (fever, respiratory compensation, elevated cortisol) alongside ruminal pH changes can guide treatment decisions and outcomes in affected herds
Key Findings
- •48.1% of zebu heifers required bicarbonate and saline treatment to correct metabolic acidosis and dehydration following oligofructose induction
- •Oligofructose excess caused marked rumen pH reduction, increased rumen lactate concentration, and elevated blood osmolarity and cortisol levels
- •Treated animals showed lower rumen pH values and severe dehydration (elevated globular volume and serum urea)
- •Laminitis appeared frequently alongside ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation symptoms in response to systemic acidosis