Abomasal and Duodenal Activity Alterations in Periparturient Dairy Cattle

Abomasal dysfunction is theorized to underlie development of abomasal displacements. Abomasal function studies in healthy animals have not shown a conclusive role for diet, hypocalcemia, or neuroendocrine factors in altering abomasal motility. However, none of the studies were performed in the periparturient cow. The goal of this pilot project was to detect any significant alterations within the peripartum period in either antral or duodenal myoelectrical activity. We hypothesized healthy cows would not show significant alterations either during mid-lactation (as previously described) or between pre- and postpartum periods.