Volatile fatty acid production in the grey duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia

Author: E.A. Boomker
Year: 1983
Issue: 1
Volume: 13
Page: 33 - 35

Volatile fatty acid production was studied in the rumen and caecum of culled grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) and in the rumen of tame fistulated duikers. The caecum had a higher total VFA concentration and production rate per unit volume than the rumen but when considering total volume the caecum was only 14 – 17% of the rumen values. The energy obtained from ruminal VFA was calculated to satisfy 36,1% and 74,9% of the basal metabolic energy requirements of field animals in summer and winter respectively. The total hindgut contribution (caecum + colon) would amount to 19% in summer and 30% in winter emphasizing the importance of fibre fermentation in the hindgut.

 

Keywords: energy, grey duiker, rumen, volatile fatty acids
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