Blood acid-base equilibrium in experimental acidosis of the rumen in sheep.

Blood acid-base equilibrium in experimental acidosis of the rumen in sheep. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1979, 30 (4): 543--551. Experimental acidosis of the rumen was induced in sheep infusing into it through a fistula a solution of saccharose and solutions of different volatile fatty acids and lactic acid. Arterial-blood acid-base equilibrium indices were determined by the Astrup micromethod with an Acid-Base-Cart ABC-1 unit. It was found that during saccharose-acidosis partly compensated metabolic acidosis develops and that acid-base equilibrium disturbances are caused by all volatile fatty acids and lactic acid. When they are infused in equimolar amounts into the rumen the strongest and earliest disturbances in that equilibrium are caused by acetic acid, followed by butyric, lactic and propionic acids.