Subacute Rumen Acidosis in Greek Dairy Sheep: Prevalence, Impact and Colorimetry Management

Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a current issue in intensive livestock farming, and it is particularly associated with feeding high-concentrate diets. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of SARA in forty-two Greek dairy sheep flocks by recording rumen pH, milk composition, and milk y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals (Basel) 2024-07, Vol.14 (14), p.2061
Main Authors: Voulgarakis, Nikolaos, Gougoulis, Dimitrios A, Psalla, Dimitra, Papakonstantinou, Georgios I, Katsoulis, Konstantinos, Angelidou-Tsifida, Mariana, Athanasiou, Labrini V, Papatsiros, Vasileios G, Christodoulopoulos, Georgios
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acidosis
Animal welfare
dairy sheep
epidemiology
Farms
Greece
Livestock
milk fat depression
Milk production
Oils & fats
rumen mucosa colorimetry
Sample size
Sheep
subacute rumen acidosis
Veterinary medicine
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Summary:Subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) is a current issue in intensive livestock farming, and it is particularly associated with feeding high-concentrate diets. This study investigated the prevalence and impact of SARA in forty-two Greek dairy sheep flocks by recording rumen pH, milk composition, and milk yield over a period of nine months. Moreover, it explored the use of computerized rumen colorimetry as a management and diagnostic tool for SARA in dairy sheep. In culled ewes, computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry was applied, and rumen wall samples taken for histological examination. SARA cases were identified in 19 farms (45%, = 42). Farms with SARA cases had lower milk fat levels, while milk yield and milk protein levels did not differ based on the SARA status of the farms. In culled ewes, rumen color was significantly associated with the flock's SARA status, and affected ewes showed increased thickness in non-keratinized and total epithelial layers. It was concluded that computerized rumen mucosal colorimetry in aged, culled ewes shows promise as an indicator, , of SARA present in dairy sheep flocks whose impact can be minimized by making significant changes in dietary management.
ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani14142061