Acetate Turnover Rate in the Bovine

Abstract

Data were obtained on the rate of acetate turnover in a steer and in Holstein cows 2-4 hr after feeding. The turnover rate for mature cows was 2.1 0.5 mM/hr/kg (5.5 [plus or minus]1.3 g/hr/cwt). Evidence was obtained from the calculated acetate pool size in relation to blood acetate concentration and from the calculated acetate space that the technique used is measuring the turnover rate of the acetate pool in the accessible central (blood) compartment. The data do not support the concept that the rate of acetate utilization is concentration-dependent, at least for the normal blood concentrations existing in this study. From the data in this study, in relation to various estimates of acetate absorption, it is suggested that as much as 25% of the acetate turned over may be of endogenous origin. Inferences are drawn concerning possible physiological effects on acetate metabolism and the relationship of acetate metabolism to the total metabolic rate.