Absorption of Organic Acids from the Omasum,

Absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid from the omasum of 4-or 5mo.-old Holstein calves was studied by two methods. The first consisted of a study of the relative concentrations of these acids in the contents of the stomach compartments of six calves in relation to concentrations of chromic oxide remaining from previous orM administration. On a dry matter basis, levels of chromic oxide increased in order from the rumen, to the reticulmn, to the omasum, to the abomasum; and, in the same order, VFA declined. The ratios of VFA to chromic oxide indicated a decrease in VFA of 51% from the reticulum to the omasum and a further decrease of 83% from the omasum to the abonmsmn.