ARS/SCA: Determine the effect of dose and short term EA exposure on rumen motility

It is not understood if ergot alkaloids affect gut motility, which has a major influence on rate of passage and digestibility of feed. We have previously validated a model for the study of energy metabolism and the influence of ergot alkaloid consumption on ruminal vasculature and VFA absorption. Through these experiments it was repeatedly noted that ruminal digesta fill for steers receiving E+ treatment was substantially increased We propose to examine this phenomenon using our experimental model in order to study the specific effects of alkaloids on rumen motility, fill, passage and digestibility using a common forage source. Multiple experiments will be conducted using ruminally cannulated steers fed hay. Steers will be equipped with balloons attached to pressure transducers to continuously monitor rumen motility. Water meters will be installed on water troughs to monitor water intake. Steers will be fed 12 times daily with rumen evacuations used to estimate passage. This model employs real-time data collection, thus decisions can be made during each experiment on how best to optimize data collection. This set of experiments will yield results that are used to define the following studies with the overall goal of determining how the timing and dose of ergot alkaloid impacts motility and digestive efficiency.