Changes in cicatricial digestion in Holstein and Ayrshire heifers with age, depending on the incidence in the first month after birth

The aim of the research was to determine changes in the composition of cicatrix fluid with age in heifers of Holstein and Ayrshire breeds, depending on the incidence in the first month after birth. To conduct research, four groups were formed from heifers at the age of 6 months, with 3 heads each: I group – Holstein breed (control), II group – Ayrshire breed (control), that were not ill in the first month after birth, III group – Holstein breed (experimental), IV – Holstein breed (experienced), that suffered from various diseases in the first month after birth. It was found out that with age, the concentration of pH hydrogen ions in the cicatrix tissue decreased in heifers, the proportion of acetic acid in the structure of the LVF increased, but at the same time the proportion of propionic and butyric acids decreased. For the period from 6 to 16 months the number of ciliates increased in healthy Holstein heifers by 144.19 thousand/ml (102.7%), in Ayrshire heifers - by 151.80 thousand/ml (103.3%), in those who recovered, respectively, by 135.0 thousand/ml (101.6%) and 115.75 thousand/ml (81.2%), the number of bacteria in those who did not The number of patients increased by 19.18 billion/ml (129.6%) and 19.68 billion/ml (123.3%), the number of those who were ill increased by 18.70 billion/ml (136.0%) and 18.82 billion/ml (126.0%). These changes with the age of heifers are probably due to the fact that the body of over-sick animals is struggling with the lag in the development of organs and tissues caused by the effects of the disease, but it is not possible to completely offset the difference compared with those that were not ill. As a result, at the end of the growing period, the heifers that had been ill in the first month of life had a lower pH in the rumen, which indicates a higher titrated acidity. This, in turn, caused a lower content of microorganisms in the cicatrix fluid, a deterioration in protein metabolism, a decrease in the content of total nitrogen and its components in the rumen and, as a result, a decrease in the growth rate of heifers.