Influence of an abrupt change in diet on antroduodenal myoelectric activity in lactating cattle

Effects of a change from a diet composed primarily of forage to a diet composed primarily of concentrate on abomasal antral and duodenal motility were assessed in 5 lactating Holstein cows. Antroduodenal motility was measured by use of 8 silver electrodes sutured to the abomasum and duodenum, and abomasal emptying was assessed by continuous measurement of intraduodenal pH. Both diets were fed to achieve a daily dry matter intake of 2.7 kg/100 kg of body weight. The abrupt change in diet did not alter antroduodenal myoelectric activity or abomasal emptying. Initiation of phase III of the migrating myoelectric complex in the proximal portion of the duodenum corresponded with a decrease in abomasal antral spiking activity and an increase in intraduodenal pH. Results suggest that a high concentrate diet alone does not adversely affect antroduodenal motility in adult dairy cattle.