Ovine nutritional responses to elevated ambient carbon dioxide
Hoover, W.H.; Sawyer, M.S.; Apgar, W.P.
Journal of Nutrition 101(12): 1595-1600
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 5288526 Document Number: 38460
Sheep appeared to tolerate CO2 levels up to 12%. They remained alert and continued to eat and drink. At 12% and 16% CO2 food and water intake and urine production decreased and the animals lost weight. At 16% CO2 food digestibility and the volatile fatty acid conc. of the rumen contents decreased, and the animals became listless, salivated profusely and one out of three died displaying signs of extreme stress. No differences were observed between gradual and abrupt exposure for water consumption and urine production, but food intake was reduced even at 4% abrupt exposure. Rate of food passage in the gastrointestinal tract and blood glucose levels were not affected.