Morphological response of the ruminal and omasal mucosae to the variation in diet energy

Abstract

The absorption capacity of the rumen responds positively to direct and indirect stimulation by VFA; there is also evidence that the wall of the omasum also responds to these stimuli. To further investigate these reports, we compared the tissue morphologies of rumen and omasum biopsy samples. Four cows surgically fitted with ruminal cannulas were sequentially fed two diets. These diets included corn silage (S) and a combination of corn silage and commercial concentrate (CS). The animals were fed S for the first 18 days of the experiment, followed by CS for the next 18 days. They were then fasted for 72 h (F), and then had at least 18 days of re-feeding. Biopsy samples were taken from the blade of the omasum and the ventral sac of the rumen at different time points during each diet: samples were taken from S-diet animals at day 18; CS, at days 4 and 18; F, at the end of the 72 h; and re-fed animals, at days 4, 12, and 18. The mitotic index of the basal layers of the ruminal and omasal epithelia and the VFA concentration in the rumen were higher after 4 days of CS diet. There was a positive correlation between the mitotic indices of the rumen and omasum. The width of the ruminal papillae varied with different diets, and was highest on day 18 of the CS diet. Our results indicate that stimulation of cell division due to increased dietary energy simultaneously affected both compartments of the stomach.