Digestion in ruminants Flashcards
How does ruminants accomplish cellulose digestion?
Indirectly through the microorganisms growing in the GIT, particularly in the forestomach.
What does the microorganisms provide?
The essential cellulase enzymes to decompose plant material.
What does microorganisms produce?
Many nutrients required bu polygastric animals.
What is fermentation?
The process within a ruminant’s stomach in which FFA, protein, vitamins and other nutrients are synthesized to mee the metabolic demand.
What is normal physiological colour of rumen fluid?
Green
Bright/yellowish colour of rumen fluid is a sign for?
Acidosis
Dark colour of rumen fluid is a sign for?
Alkalosis
Trace of…….. in ruminal fluid is pathogenic?
Blood
What is pH of ruminal fluid?
6,2-6,8
Which temperature is needed for microorganisms to function?
39-41 C
What environment is needed for microorganisms to survive?
strictly anaerobic
How many species of MO’s are found in ruminal fluid?
200 species
Two main types of MO’s in rumen?
Cilliata and flagellata
Types of cilliated MO’s?
Holotricha –> all over body
Entodiniomorpha –> cillia in branches (diplodinium, entodinium, epidinium)
Other name for protozoa?
Infusaria
How many MO’s in rumen?
200-400 x 10^6 /mL
Which types of MO’s in rumen?
Bacteria Protozoa Yeast Mold Fungi
How is reduction test of ruminal fluid performed?
Add methylen blue to ruminal fluid and put in tempered bath. Measure time for decomposition of MB.
Living/moving protozoa will reduce the colour of methylen blue. Dead will not decomposite it = blue colour.
How many species of bacteria in rumen?
200 species
Function of bacteria?
Utilization of starch
Number of bacteria in rumen?
10^9 - 10^12 / 1 mL of ruminal fluid
How is amount of bacterias regulated?
Protozoas eat bacteria and regulate amount
Function of yeast?
Use oxygen, help maintaining anaerobic environment.
How much Volatile FA are produced in rumen / day?
2-4,5 kg. Saccharides –> pyruvate –> Volatile FA–> lactic acid
Precursor of acetic acid?
Milk fat
Precursor of propyonic acid?
glucose
Precursor of butyric acid?
milk fat
What is spesial in ruminant digestion?
Fermentation process in rumen can create all essential AA. Do not have to ingest them.
Main product of proteolysis?
NH4+ –> urea –>
- kidnes and urine
- saliva and back to rumen.
pH of saliva?
pH 8 –> alkalic because of bicarbonate
Why is ruminant saliva alcalic?
To function as a buffer system for the acidity in rumen.
Formula for Total Count (TC) of living protozoa in ruminal fluid?
TC= counted protozoa x 3 (dillution)x 320 (index for FR chamber) = 200-400 x 10^6 / mL
What is used to count living protozoa in ruminal fluid?
Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber (count 16 large squares)
How is the dillution used for the count?
1 mL RF + 2 mL Methylen blue (Dillution = 3)
