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Nutritional Physiology Lecture 9 Ruminant Digestion 1

The document discusses the anatomy and physiology of the ruminant digestive system, highlighting the four stomach compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. It details the digestion and absorption processes for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in fermentation and nutrient synthesis. Additionally, it explains the importance of proper dietary balance for optimal milk production and the implications of gas removal through eructation.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
20 views20 pages

Nutritional Physiology Lecture 9 Ruminant Digestion 1

The document discusses the anatomy and physiology of the ruminant digestive system, highlighting the four stomach compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. It details the digestion and absorption processes for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in fermentation and nutrient synthesis. Additionally, it explains the importance of proper dietary balance for optimal milk production and the implications of gas removal through eructation.

Uploaded by

farazi.2301062
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHO, Protein and fat digestion,

absorption and metabolism in


ruminant

Mohammad Alam Miah, PhD


Professor, Dept. of Physiology,
BAU
Stomach

-Divided into 4 compartments- Rumen, reticulum, omasum


and abomasum

-Young suckling-1st 2 compartments undeveloped.

A tube like fold or tissue known as oesophageal or reticular


groove directly connected to the omasum and abomasum
and milk is reaching by this way.
The rumen
 The largest of four compartments and several sacs.

 It can hold 25 gallons or more of material, depending on the size of


the cow.

 the rumen acts as a storage or holding vat for feed. It is also a large
fermentation vat; also called the "paunch"

 Anaerobic conditions (temp 390C)within the rumen favor the growth


of microbes.

 The rumen absorbs most of the volatile fatty acids produced from
fermentation of feedstuffs by rumen microbes.

 Tiny projections called papillae increase the surface area and the
absorption capacity of the rumen

 Constant motion-contraction occur at a rate of 1-3 per minute


(serve to mix contents, aid in eructation of gases and move fluid and
fermented feedstuffs into the omasum)
• Functions of Microorganisms
-digest roughages to make Volatile Fatty Acids
-synthesize amino acids-building block of protein
-use ammonia and urea as nitrogen sources to make protein
-make vitamins K and B complex
The reticulum

 Pouch-like structure in the forward area of the body cavity.


The tissues are arranged in a network resembling a
honeycomb.
 Rumen and reticulum are not actually separate
compartments. A small fold of tissue lies between the reticulum
and the rumen. Collectively they are called the rumino-
reticulum.
 Heavy or dense feed and metal objects eaten by the cow drop
into this compartment.
The omasum

 This globe-shaped, hard structure


 Also called the "manyplies") contains leaves of tissue (like
pages in a book).
 The omasum absorbs water and other substances ( VFA and
bicarbonate) from digestive contents.
 Feed material (ingesta) between the leaves will be drier than
that found in the other compartments.
The Abomasum

 This is the only compartment (also called the true


stomach) with a glandular lining.

 Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are secreted


into the abomasum.

 The abomasum is comparable to the stomach of the non-


ruminant
Eructation ( belching):
Removal of large quantities of gases- methane and CO2 from the rumen.
Fermentation of foodstuffs in the rumen generates enormous quantities of
gas
-30-50 liters per hour in adult cattle
-5-7 liters per hour in adult sheep or goats.

Belching is how ruminants get rid of fermentation gases

Anything that causes a hindrance to belching can be life threatening


Bloating can result in death from asphyxiation.
Carbohydrate digestion

 Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy and the primary
precursors of fat and sugar (lactose) in cows' milk

 Fiber CHO stimulates ruminal contraction and increases the flow of saliva to
the rumen.

 Non-fibrous CHO (starches and simple sugars) are fermented rapidly and
increase the energy density of a diet

 Thus, the balance between fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates is important


in feeding dairy cows for efficient milk production.
Carbohydrate digestion in ruminants

Adapted from Michel A. Wattiaux and Louis E. Armentano. Babcock Institutute


Protein digestion

 Recommended crude protein in ration:


 Dry cows: 12 %
 Dairy cows:16 % to 18 % depending on milk production

 Non-protein nitrogen sources may be used, when a ration contains


less than 12 to 13% crude protein.

 Proteins resistant to microbial degradation in the rumen:


 Brewer's grain
 Distiller's grain
 Proteins of animal origin (slaughter house byproducts, feather meal
and fish meal).
Ruminant feces is good
fertilizer because it is rich in
organic matter and is
particularly rich in nitrogen (2.2
to 2.6% nitrogen or the
equivalent of 14 to 16% crude
protein) as compared to the
feces of non-ruminant animals.
Lipid digestion
 Lipids contain 2.25 times more energy than carbohydrate

 Lipids normally 2-4 % in feed

 Cereal grains contains low fat but oilseeds (cotton seed, soyabean
etc) and animal fat contain more that 20% fat

 Components of lipids: Triglycerides, glycolipids and phospholipid

 The basic structure of triglycerides consist of one unit of glycerol (a 3


carbon sugar) and three units of fatty acids
Micelles: FFA, Bile salts and enzymes
Chylomicron: Triglycerides,
phospholipid, Cholesterol and protein
Hind-gut fermenter

Horse, rabbit, ostrich etc.


 Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver pancreas have
similar to monogastrics
 Major difference between monogastrics and hindgut fermenters is the
large intestine
 Large intestine is exceptionally large and complex compared to
monogastrics and ruminants
 It is analogous to the rumen in ruminants
- large, anaerobic fermentation vat.
- Microbes digest structural carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose)
and soluble carbohydrates that escape digestion in small intestine to
VFA’s,
-VFA’s absorbed from large intestine and utilized by the animal.
 Microbial protein produced in large intestine is wasted (only very
limited absorption from large intestine).
Cellulose
Starch Hemicellulose
Protein Fats

Mouth Amylase

maltose

Proteases
Stomach Proteases
peptides

peptidases Bile salts,lipase


small Intestine Amylase maltase

amino acids Fatty acids glucose


.. ..
Large intestine
VFA’s VFA’s

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