Ruminal pH may not be heavily dependent on diet but may be age-related.
Ruminal TVFA concentration increases with age and with early starter feeding.
The potential increase in bicarbonate-dependent transport mediated via DRA for ruminants fed highly fermentable diets would also help regulate ruminal pH.
MCT1 expression is important for maintaining pH homeostasis.
Early starter feeding affects gene expression levels in the ruminal epithelium.