Endotoxin absorption in hay-fed and lactic acidotic sheep

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Ruminant Physiology

Background:

• Lactic acidosis is a significant concern in ruminant health.
• The role of gastrointestinal endotoxins in ruminant metabolic disorders is not fully understood.
• Escherichia coli endotoxin is a potent bacterial toxin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the absorption of endotoxin from the gastrointestinal tract in sheep.
• To determine the effect of abomasal fluid on endotoxin activity.
• To assess the potential involvement of alimentary endotoxin in ruminant lactic acidosis.

Main Methods:

• Sheep (hay-fed and lactic acidotic) were duodenally infused with Escherichia coli endotoxin.
• Lactic acidotic sheep not infused served as controls.
• Leukopenia was used as the indicator for endotoxemia.
• In vitro incubation of endotoxin with abomasal fluid was performed.

Main Results:

• No endotoxin absorption was detected in the gastrointestinal tract of either hay-fed or lactic acidotic sheep.
• Endotoxin retained its biological activity after incubation with abomasal fluid.
• Endogenous endotoxin was detected in abomasal contents.

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal absorption of endotoxin does not appear to occur in sheep.
• Alimentary endotoxin is unlikely to be a contributing factor to the development of lactic acidosis in ruminants.
• Abomasal fluid does not neutralize endotoxin activity.