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Article

Anatomical Differences in the Omasum of Weaning Calves Fed with Different Diets

by
William Pérez
1,
Sokol Duro
2,* and
Ozan Gündemir
3
1
Unidad de Anatomía, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Ruta 8, Km 18, Montevideo 12300, Uruguay
2
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, 1000 Tirana, Albania
3
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul 34452, Türkiye
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Anatomia 2023, 2(2), 176-188; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia2020016
Submission received: 8 May 2023 / Revised: 25 May 2023 / Accepted: 12 June 2023 / Published: 15 June 2023
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Abstract

:
The omasum is the third compartment of the ruminant stomach, which is also considered a water absorption organ and participates in the absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA), minerals, electrolytes, and fluids. The most important morphological parameter of the omasum is the available absorption area, which depends on the size and number of the omasal laminae, and is variable among different ruminants and based on differences in their daily diets. Optimal omasum development in the transition period to ruminant life can enhance animal performance, so identifying the best diet for this period is crucial for producers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two diets based on 8 L of milk replacer with the inclusion of concentrate or forage on the development of the omasum in twenty newborn male Holstein calves divided into two groups. The first group was fed alfalfa hay, and the second was administered a balanced commercial starter feed, both groups ad libitum. After standard dissection of the omasum of both calf groups, the omasal laminae were classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary, and their surface area was calculated. Regarding the number of first-, second-, and third-order laminae, a significant difference was only observed in the number of third-order laminae in favor of the forage-fed group (p = 0.04). The laminar surface area indicated that the area of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sheets, and the total laminar area, were greater in the forage group (p < 0.05). The length of the omasal papillae recorded with the scanning electron microscope showed that the papillae near the ostium reticulo-omasicum tended to be significantly longer in the forage-fed group (p = 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that significant anatomical differences can be observed between two groups of animals of the same species and rearing stage that were fed with two different diets within a period of less than two months. This highlights the remarkable plasticity and adaptability of the ruminant stomach.

1. Introduction

Calves in their development must face at least three important moments that require both digestive and physiological adaptations: the first is the pre-ruminant stage (it lasts the first 2–3 weeks of life, during which the calf consumes almost no solids), the second is the transition phase (when the calf begins to ingest solid food, which lasts until weaning), and the third is the ruminant phase (which lasts for the rest of the calf’s life) [1,2]. The initiation in the consumption of solids, the acquisition of anaerobic microorganisms, the establishment of ruminal fermentation, the expansion of the rumen in volume, the differentiation and growth of the papillae, the development of metabolic and absorption pathways, and the beginning of the behavior of rumination are factors necessary for the calf to go from a liquid feed to a solid one [3].
In recent years, the use of accelerated dairy-calf-rearing systems has been promoted [3]. These systems consist of supplying greater daily volumes of milk, equivalent to 15% to 20% of the live weight (LW) of calves at birth, being significantly higher than the 4 L of milk per day (equivalent to 8 to 10% of the LW at birth) used in traditional rearing systems. The main objective of these systems is that the calves consume a greater quantity of nutrients (energy and protein) that allows them to double the LW at weaning, which usually happens at eight weeks of age. This will improve the performance of the animals when they are adult cows [4]. Furthermore, this increase in protein intake improves the calf nutritionally in the critical stages, which correspond to the first weeks of life [5,6].
The raising of replacement calves entails high costs for the producer. Getting calves to puberty in the shortest time possible contributes to a lower age at first calving, and production begins earlier in life. By increasing the energy and protein intake in accelerated rearing, the calf has a greater body development, and a reduction in rearing costs is appreciated, as it compensates with a greater weight gain at the time of weaning, a lower age at puberty, and increased development of the mammary parenchyma [7,8].
Several studies report that the contribution of larger volumes of milk decreases the weekly rate of increase in the consumption of the starting ration and decreases the total consumption of the starting ration during rearing [9]. This effect is opposite to the objective sought in traditional rearing systems, which base the restricted supply of milk on the need to promote an increase in the consumption of concentrate, as a strategy to favor the entry of fermentable carbohydrates into the rumen, and increase fermentative activity, papilla development, and ruminal absorption capacity [10]. In accelerated rearing, the main role of solid feed would no longer be to supply energy and protein to the calf, an aspect covered by the high consumption of dairy products, but it could have other roles in the development of the animal.
On the other hand, the consumption of larger volumes of milk would not favor the establishment of the ruminal flora, the fermentative activity, or the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) such as propionate that have an important role in the development of the ruminal papillae and the absorption capacity [10]. One of the main disadvantages then would be the delay in the transition from suckling to ruminant, which could generate greater difficulties for animals reared under accelerated rearing systems in adapting to a solid diet after weaning [3].
Some studies that have evaluated the ruminal pH of calves fed 4 vs. 8 L of milk report that the former have ruminal pH values below 6.2 for several hours throughout the day, which would be indicative of subacute ruminal acidosis [11]. On the other hand, calves that consume higher volumes of milk generally have higher mean daily pH values and, during the day, they never have pH values below 6.2 [11]. The decrease in ruminal pH causes excessive growth and keratinization of the ruminal papillae [12], and, consequently, a decrease in the absorption of VFA [13].
The omasum is considered a water-absorption organ; currently it is known that it also participates in the absorption of VFA, minerals, electrolytes, and fluids in general [14,15]. The most important morphological parameter of this organ is the area available for absorption, which depends on the size and number of the omasal laminae [16,17], demonstrated by differences in the distribution of omasal papillae between cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as by modifications in the omasal mucosa due to differences in diets. It has been suggested that the unguiculiform papillae, of variable development among the different ruminant species, act as a filter or barrier for the passage of large particles to the omasum [18].
Knowing which is the most suitable diet to obtain an optimal development of the omasum in the transition period towards ruminant life would allow producers the best adaptation to the ruminant period, obtaining a better performance in the animals. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the effect of two diets based on 8 L of milk replacer with the inclusion of concentrate or forage on the development of the omasum in calves.

2. Materials and Methods

The experimental trial was carried out in a dairy farm of Florida, Uruguay. Twenty newborn male calves of the Holstein breed were used for this study. They were bought from a producer in the area, after the correct browning. During rearing, they were housed indoors in individual cages of 2 × 1 m, all being in the same sanitary and environmental conditions. The animals were blocked by LW (40.15 ± 3.4 Kg) and randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The groups of 10 animals each were fed 8 L of high-quality commercial milk replacer (divided into two feedings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon) (Table 1); feeding with alfalfa hay was added to one group (Dry Matter 90%, Crude Protein 17%, Crude Protein 14.5%) ad libitum. The other group was administered a balanced commercial starter feed ad libitum from the beginning of the trial until weaning and euthanasia (60 days) (Table 2).

2.1. Euthanasia and Consideration of Ethical Aspects

Euthanasia was performed by the first author, 2 h after the last food intake, in the morning. The method of sacrifice used included the use of a captive bolt pistol and subsequent bleeding through incision of the external jugular vein and the common carotid artery. The method was approved by the CNEA (Comisión Nacional de Experimentación Animal), number 68315, 25 February 2020.

2.2. Study Methods

The method of studying the organ was simple dissection, optical microscopy, and the use of a scanning electron microscope. Anatomical measurements were taken following standard procedures for ruminants [19,20,21]. To avoid bias in the measurements, they were carried out by the same researcher.
The 20 omasa were dissected immediately after evisceration; the full weight of the omasum, the length of the omasal curvature, and the length and width of the omasum were recorded. The omasum was incised along the base, emptied, gently rinsed so as not to injure the keratin layer, and allowed to drip for 10 min before the weight of the empty organ was recorded. The omasum leaves were dissected with a scalpel from their base. All the omasal laminae were classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary, counted, and then scanned to calculate their surface area. The unguiculiform papillae were measured along their long axis.
For measurement of the laminar surface area, the dissected omasal laminae were scanned using a flatbed scanner (HP Laserjet Pro MFP M130fw). A linear scale bar was attached to one side of the scan surface, and then the scan was processed using image analysis software (Fiji: https://fiji.sc/, accessed on 8 May 2023). The area measurements were multiplied by 2 to reflect the surface of both sides of the laminae.
For this study with optical microscopy, samples of 1 cm long by 1 cm wide were taken from the corresponding regions of 5 primary laminae of the omasum of 5 animals of each group (near the ostium reticulo-omasicum, middle part of the laminae, and near the ostium omaso-abomasicum). The fragments were washed without damaging the keratin layer. For this purpose, the sample was carefully taken with a forceps without teeth and washed by immersing it in cold water (at 5 °C). The samples were then placed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution. The containers where the samples were stored contained 10 times the volume of fixative in relation to the sample size. The samples were stored at room temperature for at least 10 days.
The pieces were then dehydrated in serial concentrations of alcohol (70 to 100%), diaphanized in xylol, and embedded in paraffin. The paraffin blocks were cut on the microtome (5 µm thick). The sections were placed on slides for staining. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for routine studies and Masson’s trichrome staining was performed for collagen and muscle fibers. The slides were photographed under a light microscope (Olympus® BX40). Optical microscopy was performed at the Faculty of Santa María (Brazil).
Samples of 5 primary omasal laminae were taken from 5 animals of each group and scanning electron microscopy was performed. For this, the selected laminae were placed in 10% formaldehyde solution for 10 days, then the sections to be used were removed from three places (near the ostium reticulo-omasicum, middle part of the laminae, and near the ostium omaso-abomasicum). These sections were 1 cm sided squares that were washed with 1% PBS solution in 3 baths for 5 min, and 3 baths with distilled water for 3 min. They were then dehydrated in serial concentrations of alcohol at 50%, 70%, 90%, and 100%, dried in a critical point apparatus, glued with carbon glue on metallic aluminum bases, and metallized with silver in the metallizer apparatus. Finally, they were analyzed and photographed using a scanning electron microscope (JeolJSM-5900LV; JeolLtd.,Tokyo, Japan and the extirpated tissues were examined under a stereomicroscope -Nikon SMZ800, Tokyo, Japan). Scanning electron microscopy was performed at the Electron Microscopy Service of the Faculty of Sciences of the UdelaR (Montevideo, Uruguay).
As the dissections progressed, photographs were taken with a Nikon reflex digital camera model D 7100 and a 60 mm Macro Micro Nikkor lens, for their documentation, study, and discussion. All the data corresponding to the animal and the observations made during the dissection together with the basic measurements were recorded on individual pages for each animal, which were digitized at a later stage and filed together with the photographs.

2.3. Nomenclature

For the description, the nomenclature of the online version of the Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature [22] was used.

2.4. Statistics

Data were presented as the mean ± SD. The t-test was carried out to compare the evaluated parameters. To carry it out, the free Software Social Science Statistics was used: https://www.socscistatistics.com/tests/studentttest/default2.aspx (accessed on 8 May 2023). The level of significance was established at p < 0.05.

3. Results

The data related to body weight, full and empty weights, and dimensions of the omasum appear in Table 3. None of these results showed significant differences between both groups of calves. The percentage of body weight represented by the full omasum in the group fed with forage was 1.22, while in the one fed with concentrate it was 1.04, the difference being not significant. Regarding the empty weight, it represented 0.65 in the group fed with forage and 0.59 in the one fed with concentrate, the difference was not significant either.
The omasum presented omasal laminae, categorized in first, second and third order. No others were visible. Regarding the number of first-, second- and third-order laminae, a significant difference was only observed in the number of third-order laminae in favor of the forage-fed group (p = 0.04) (Table 3) (Figure 1).
This study of the laminar surface area (Figure 2) indicated that the area of the primary, secondary, tertiary sheets and the total laminar area were greater in the forage group (p < 0.05).
The length of the omasal papillae recorded with the scanning electron microscope (Table 4) showed that the papillae near the reticulo-omasal opening tended to be significantly longer in the forage-fed group (p = 0.05).
The papillae of the middle part of the omasal laminae did not show significant differences between both groups of calves; however, at the level of the proximity of the omaso-abomasal orifice, there was a significant difference between both groups (p = 0.0014), in favor of the concentrate group (Figure 3 and Figure 4).
With regard to light microscopy, the presence of the typical stratified squamous parakeratinized epithelium was observed (Figure 5). The keratinized surface is continuous and clear in both groups. The epithelial surface of first- and second-order laminae presented small-sized papillae (Figure 5). In the primary laminae, the presence of fibers of the muscular tunic was appreciated in the center and in the muscular lamina of the mucosa on the sides (Figure 5C,D). Loose connective tissue was observed in all the laminae, accompanied by its own cells, fine blood capillaries, and some inflammatory cells (Figure 5). The tunica serosa was constituted by a layer of flat mesothelial cells being supported by loose irregular connective tissue.
With regard to electron microscopy, the shape, type, and amount of the unguiculiform papillae of the reticulo-omasal opening, the omasal papillae in the center of the omasal laminae, and the omasal papillae close to the omaso-abomasal opening are presented in Figure 6. From these images, it can be observed that the right side exhibits larger and thicker unguiculiform papillae, which corresponds to a concentrated diet, compared to those on the left side (grass diet).

4. Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of a comparative study of the characteristics of the omasum between two groups of calves with milk-substitute diets, supplemented with forage and concentrate in the suckling stage. In this work, weights and dimensions of the organ were taken, the area of the laminar surface was measured, and optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the laminae were performed in both groups of calves.
The main results indicated that there were no significant differences in weights of full and empty omasa, weights of the omasal wall without laminae, or curvature, height, or length of the omasum. The same happened with the number of primary and secondary laminae and the total number of laminae, except for the third-order laminae that predominated in the forage-fed group (p = 0.04). Regarding the area of the primary, secondary, and tertiary laminae and the total laminae area, all were significantly higher in the forage group (p < 0.05). Regarding the length of the omasal papillae registered with the scanning electron microscope, it was found that the papillae near the ostium reticulo-omasicum tended to be significantly greater in the group fed forage (p = 0.05) and that in the papillae located near the ostium omaso-abomasicum, there was a significant difference between both groups (p = 0.0014), in favor of the concentrate group. This may be due to the effects of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) or propionic acid, which increase the development of papillae, as seen in the rumen [10].
Taxonomic ruminants have developed the omasum as an anatomical structure whose main function is the elimination of fluid before the digesta reaches the sites of gastric acid and enzyme secretion [23,24]. Based on the fact that tragulids, the most ancestral ruminants, do not have an omasum [24,25], this organ has been interpreted as a “key innovation” that facilitated the most diverse appearance by more advanced ruminants (Infraorder Pecora) [24,26]. Differences in the size, shape, and structure of the omasum have long been described between different species of ruminants [27,28], and the comparative work of Hofmann [29,30,31] correlated them with adaptations to different types of feeding, with “cattle-type” grazing ruminants having a larger omasum [16,24,32]. This research shows that, with a period of less than two months, significant anatomical differences can be detected between two groups of animals of the same species and in the rearing stage with two different diets. This indicates the great plasticity and adaptability of the ruminant’s stomach.
In the calves studied, there were no significant differences in weights of full and empty omasa, weights of the omasal wall without laminae, or curvature, height, or length of the omasum. The size, weight, and filling of the omasum generally increase with the fiber content of the diet, in both juvenile and mature domestic ruminants [33,34,35,36,37,38]. The omasum shows a significant variation between individuals in cattle [39], which was also evident in the addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus), in terms of the variability in the number of omasal laminae of different orders [40]. The omasal tissue mass did not differ in two Addax groups, one with forage and the other with concentrate [40].
The difference between the calves that were fed with forage or concentrate in the morphology of the omasum was reflected in differences in the available absorptive omasal surface, which was quantified by measuring the area of the laminar surface. Regarding the predominant function of the omasum, the most important morphological parameter is probably the area available for absorption. The laminar surface area is significantly correlated with the percentage of grass in the natural diet, supporting the interpretation that general grazing ruminants have a larger omasum [16]. Therefore, it was expected that the grass-fed calves in this study would have greater laminar surface area.
When studying the omasal laminar surface, a similar absorption capacity per unit area of omasal tissue should not be assumed between the two groups of calves. If we consider that the omasal papillae (like the ruminal papillae) increase the surface of the mucosa, there may be differences between the two groups, with variations along the surface of the lamina. The results reported with the use of the scanning electron microscope indicated that there were differences in favor of the papillae closest to the reticulo-omasal orifice in the forage group and in favor of the concentrated group in the omaso-abomasal orifice; this indicates variability in its development and a certain balance, but it does not allow us to determine if there are more papillae (and consequently greater absorptive capacity) in one group than in the other. The omasum of those fed forage may have a greater absorptive capacity, due to the existence of a larger laminar surface and a similar papillary development between both groups. In this sense, [34] found a significant difference between the total omasal surface area in dairy cattle fed with high-fiber content compared to cattle that received low-fiber feed. Fluharty et al. [41], McClure et al. [42], and McLeod and Baldwin [38] found a higher weight of omasal tissue in lambs raised with forage than in lambs raised with concentrates.
The surface of the first-order laminae of the omasum was significantly higher in hay-fed animals (p = 0.012), and the total surface of the omasal lamina tended to be larger in this group (p = 0.059), and this must be a consequence of tissue reorganization rather than accretion [40]. With regard to wild ruminants, Mathiesen et al. [43] observed a seasonal reduction in omasum size and absorption surface in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) whose winter diet contained highly digestible forage plants such as lichens, but no reduction in a reindeer population whose winter diet consisted of low-quality fibrous diet.
More controlled studies are needed in representatives of different ruminant species to determine whether such adaptive potential in the expansion and reduction of the omasal surface differs in scope between species and feeding types. In the same way, it would be interesting to carry out this type of study in older ruminants, juveniles, or adults, or to know what would happen if this type of feeding was continued until adulthood.

5. Conclusions

This research demonstrates that within a period of less than two months, significant anatomical differences can be observed between two groups of animals of the same species and rearing stage that were fed with two different diets. This highlights the remarkable plasticity and adaptability of the ruminant stomach.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, W.P. and S.D.; methodology, W.P.; software, W.P.; validation, W.P., S.D. and O.G.; formal analysis, W.P.; investigation, W.P., S.D. and O.G.; resources, W.P., S.D. and O.G.; data curation, W.P., S.D. and O.G.; writing—original draft preparation, W.P. and S.D.; writing—review and editing, W.P., S.D. and O.G.; visualization, W.P., S.D. and O.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The research was approved by the CNEA (Comisión Nacional de Experi-mentación Animal), number 68315, 25 February 2020.

Data Availability Statement

Data is unavailable due to privacy or ethical restrictions; a statement is still required. If you want to have access to data, please contact the corresponding author: durosokol@ubt.edu.al.

Acknowledgments

We offer thanks to Luciano de Morais Pinto for allowing us to use his laboratory in Santa Maria, Brazil.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Number of first-, second-, and third-order laminae of the omasa of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (blue) or concentrated (orange).
Figure 1. Number of first-, second-, and third-order laminae of the omasa of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (blue) or concentrated (orange).
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Figure 2. Area of the omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (blue) or concentrated (orange).
Figure 2. Area of the omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (blue) or concentrated (orange).
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Figure 3. View of the omasal laminae and their papillae in a calf fed with accelerated rearing and concentrated. R—indicates the direction toward the reticulum; A—indicates the direction toward the abomasum.
Figure 3. View of the omasal laminae and their papillae in a calf fed with accelerated rearing and concentrated. R—indicates the direction toward the reticulum; A—indicates the direction toward the abomasum.
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Figure 4. View of the omasal laminae and their papillae in a calf fed with accelerated rearing and forage. R—indicates the direction toward the reticulum; A—indicates the direction toward the abomasum.
Figure 4. View of the omasal laminae and their papillae in a calf fed with accelerated rearing and forage. R—indicates the direction toward the reticulum; A—indicates the direction toward the abomasum.
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Figure 5. Light microscopy of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (right) or concentrated (left) with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. (A,B) at 10× magnification. (C,D) at 4× magnification. (E) papilla of a calf fed with accelerated rearing and concentrated at 40× magnification.
Figure 5. Light microscopy of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (right) or concentrated (left) with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. (A,B) at 10× magnification. (C,D) at 4× magnification. (E) papilla of a calf fed with accelerated rearing and concentrated at 40× magnification.
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Figure 6. Scanning electron microscopy of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (left) or concentrate (right) (at 60× magnification). (A,B) Unguiculiform papillae of the reticulo-omasal opening. (C,D) Omasal papillae in the center of the omasal laminae. (E,F) Omasal papillae close to the omaso-abomasal opening.
Figure 6. Scanning electron microscopy of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage (left) or concentrate (right) (at 60× magnification). (A,B) Unguiculiform papillae of the reticulo-omasal opening. (C,D) Omasal papillae in the center of the omasal laminae. (E,F) Omasal papillae close to the omaso-abomasal opening.
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Table
Table 1. Composition of the milk replacer used in this study, indicated on the label.
Table 1. Composition of the milk replacer used in this study, indicated on the label.
Parameters
Crude protein (%)25.0
Fat (%)20.0
ME (Kcal)1.6
Crude fiber (%)0.3
Ether extracts (%)20.0
Lactose (%)44.0
Ash (%)4.5
Calcium (%)1.3
Phosphorous (%)0.6
Sodium (%)0.4
Chlorine (%)0.5
Inorg. copper (ppm)11.0
Inorg. zinc (ppm)44.0
Ferrus (ppm)111.0
Vit A (IU/Kg)27,000.0
Vit D3 (IU/Kg)5300.0
Vit E (IU/Kg)50,000.0
Ionophore (ppm)100,000.0
Total lysine (%DM)2.7
Total methionine (%DM)0.9
ME: Metabolizable energy.
Table
Table 2. Composition of the calf starter food used in this study, indicated on the label.
Table 2. Composition of the calf starter food used in this study, indicated on the label.
Parameters
Humidity (%)12.1
Protein (%)18.1
Crude fiber (%)3.3
ADF (%)4.0
NDF (%)15.0
Ether extracts (%)3.4
Ash (%)4.9
NEl (Mcal/Kg DM)1.9
Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) (ppb)<5
DON (ppb)<500
Zearalenone (ppb)<50
ADF: Acid Detergent Fiber; NDF: Neutral Detergent Fiber; NEl: Net Energy Lactation.
Table
Table 3. Measurements taken of the omasum (OM) and number of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage or concentrated (orange).
Table 3. Measurements taken of the omasum (OM) and number of omasal laminae of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage or concentrated (orange).
Forage Feed GroupConcentrated Feed Groupp (t-Test)
Body weight (Kg)87.7 ± 7.691.9 ± 8.7Ns
Full OM weight (g)1072.0 ± 236.1954.8 ± 255.3Ns
Empty OM weight (g)572.8 ± 106.2542.3 ± 120.2Ns
Omasal wall weight without laminae225.5 ± 34.3207.1 ± 32.0Ns
OM curvature (mm)32.2 ± 6.332.3 ± 3.3Ns
OM height (mm)12.9 ± 2.412.7 ± 2.5Ns
OM length (mm)14.1 ± 2.613.3 ± 1.4Ns
Number of 1st-order laminae22.2 ± 3.021.4 ± 3.0Ns
Number of 2nd-order laminae26.0 ± 3.723.8 ± 4.0Ns
Number of 3rd-order laminae37.8 ± 3.637.0 ± 4.10.04
Total number of laminae86.0 ± 5.477.0 ± 7.4Ns
Ns: Not significant.
Table
Table 4. Length of the omasal papillae recorded with a scanning electron microscope of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage or concentrate. ROO: reticulo-omasal ostium, OABO: omasoabomasal ostium.
Table 4. Length of the omasal papillae recorded with a scanning electron microscope of calves fed with accelerated rearing and forage or concentrate. ROO: reticulo-omasal ostium, OABO: omasoabomasal ostium.
Forage Feed GroupConcentrated Feed Groupp (t-Test)
ROO1073.2 ± 255.0797.8 ± 214.70.05
Middle part458.8 ± 128.9528.5 ± 38.0Ns
OABO239.6 ± 41.2343.0 ± 49.60.00142
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Pérez, W.; Duro, S.; Gündemir, O. Anatomical Differences in the Omasum of Weaning Calves Fed with Different Diets. Anatomia 2023, 2, 176-188. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia2020016

AMA Style

Pérez W, Duro S, Gündemir O. Anatomical Differences in the Omasum of Weaning Calves Fed with Different Diets. Anatomia. 2023; 2(2):176-188. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia2020016

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pérez, William, Sokol Duro, and Ozan Gündemir. 2023. "Anatomical Differences in the Omasum of Weaning Calves Fed with Different Diets" Anatomia 2, no. 2: 176-188. https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia2020016

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