Studies In The Metabolism Of The Ruminant By Indirect Calorimetry V The Course Of Metabolism After Food In The Goat

The post absorptive state commences in the ruminant between 42 and 48 hours after the last food. If food is ingested before this time it becomes mixed with that already in the rumen and its decomposition by fermentation is thereby accelerated. The metabolism at 15 hours after the last food is about 23 per cent, above that in the post absorptive state. For about 36 hours after th commencement of the post absorptive state the R.Q. remains below that of fat oxidation and fermentation gases still continue to be excreted. Keasons are suggested by way of explanation for these phenomena in the causation of which absorption of gas from the rumen does not appear to play any appreciable part.