A radio transmission pH measurement system for continuous evaluation of fluid pH in the rumen of cows

作者：Sato Shigeru^*; Kimura Atsushi; Anan Tomoaki; Yamagishi Norio; Okada Keiji; Mizuguchi Hitoshi; Ito Kazunori

来源：Veterinary Research Communications, 2012, 36(1): 85-89.

DOI：10.1007/s11259-012-9518-x

• Circadian change
• Continuous monitor
• Cow
• pH measure system
• Ruminal fluid

We developed a novel wireless radio transmission pH measurement system to continuously monitor ruminal bottom pH in cows, and compared these measurements to pH values determined by a spot-sample method. The wireless system consists of a pH sensor, data measurement receiver, relay unit, and personal computer with special software. The bullet-shaped sensor can be easily administered orally via a catheter into the rumen, without surgery. The glass electrode, using a temperature compensation system, can detect the rumen fluid pH with high accuracy. The ruminal bottom pH in healthy rumen-fistulated cows was measured as 6.52 +/- 0.18 by the wireless system and as 6.62 +/- 0.20 by the spot-sample method; with a correlation between pH measurements using these different methods (n = 8, 24 samples, r = 0.952, P %26lt; 0.01). When measured serially in a cow fed a diet evoking rumen acidosis, the ruminal bottom pH decreased markedly following the morning feeding and then increased gradually by the next morning feeding. This wireless system is a ready-to-use tool for estimating circadian changes in ruminal bottom pH.

• 出版日期2012-3