Digestion in ruminants

Question 1

How does ruminants accomplish cellulose digestion?

Answer 1

Indirectly through the microorganisms growing in the GIT, particularly in the forestomach.

Question 2

What does the microorganisms provide?

Answer 2

The essential cellulase enzymes to decompose plant material.

Question 3

What does microorganisms produce?

Answer 3

Many nutrients required bu polygastric animals.

Question 4

What is fermentation?

Answer 4

The process within a ruminant’s stomach in which FFA, protein, vitamins and other nutrients are synthesized to mee the metabolic demand.

Question 5

What is normal physiological colour of rumen fluid?

Answer 5

Green

Question 6

Bright/yellowish colour of rumen fluid is a sign for?

Answer 6

Acidosis

Question 7

Dark colour of rumen fluid is a sign for?

Answer 7

Alkalosis

Question 8

Trace of…….. in ruminal fluid is pathogenic?

Answer 8

Blood

Question 9

What is pH of ruminal fluid?

Answer 9

6,2-6,8

Question 10

Which temperature is needed for microorganisms to function?

Answer 10

39-41 C

Question 11

What environment is needed for microorganisms to survive?

Answer 11

strictly anaerobic

Question 12

How many species of MO’s are found in ruminal fluid?

Answer 12

200 species

Question 13

Two main types of MO’s in rumen?

Answer 13

Cilliata and flagellata

Question 14

Types of cilliated MO’s?

Answer 14

Holotricha –> all over body

Entodiniomorpha –> cillia in branches (diplodinium, entodinium, epidinium)

Question 15

Other name for protozoa?

Answer 15

Infusaria

Question 16

How many MO’s in rumen?

Answer 16

200-400 x 10^6 /mL

Question 17

Which types of MO’s in rumen?

Answer 17

Bacteria
Protozoa
Yeast
Mold
Fungi

Question 18

How is reduction test of ruminal fluid performed?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

How many species of bacteria in rumen?

Answer 19

200 species

Question 20

Function of bacteria?

Answer 20

Utilization of starch

Question 21

Number of bacteria in rumen?

Answer 21

10^9 - 10^12 / 1 mL of ruminal fluid

Question 22

How is amount of bacterias regulated?

Answer 22

Protozoas eat bacteria and regulate amount

Question 23

Function of yeast?

Answer 23

Use oxygen, help maintaining anaerobic environment.

Question 24

How much Volatile FA are produced in rumen / day?

Answer 24

2-4,5 kg. Saccharides –> pyruvate –> Volatile FA–> lactic acid

Question 25

Precursor of acetic acid?

Answer 25

Milk fat

Question 26

Precursor of propyonic acid?

Answer 26

glucose

Question 27

Precursor of butyric acid?

Answer 27

milk fat

Question 28

What is spesial in ruminant digestion?

Answer 28

Fermentation process in rumen can create all essential AA. Do not have to ingest them.

Question 29

Main product of proteolysis?

Answer 29

NH4+ –> urea –>

1. kidnes and urine
2. saliva and back to rumen.

Question 30

pH of saliva?

Answer 30

pH 8 –> alkalic because of bicarbonate

Question 31

Why is ruminant saliva alcalic?

Answer 31

To function as a buffer system for the acidity in rumen.

Question 32

Formula for Total Count (TC) of living protozoa in ruminal fluid?

Answer 32

TC= counted protozoa x 3 (dillution)x 320 (index for FR chamber) = 200-400 x 10^6 / mL

Question 33

What is used to count living protozoa in ruminal fluid?

Answer 33

Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber (count 16 large squares)

Question 34

How is the dillution used for the count?

Answer 34

1 mL RF + 2 mL Methylen blue (Dillution = 3)