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Article: Effect of acarbose on milk yield and composition in early-lactation dairy cattle fed a ration to induce subacute ruminal acidosis
- Article from:
- Journal of Dairy Science
- Article date:
- September 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Dairy Science Association Sep 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT
Subacute ruminai acidosis reduces lactation performance in dairy cattle and most often occurs in animals fed a high concentraterforage ration with large amounts of readily fermentable starch, which results in increased production of volatile fatty acids and lactic acid and a reduction in ruminai pH. Acarbose is commercially available (Glucobay, Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany) and indicated for the control of blood glucose in diabetic patients. In cattle, acarbose acts as an a-amylase and glucosidase inhibitor that slows the rate of degradation of starch to glucose, thereby reducing the rate of volatile fatty acid production and maintaining rumen pH at higher levels. The ability of ...