Introducing ruminants

Question 1

What makes ruminants unique from other pre-gastric and hind-gut fermenters?

Answer 1

1. Designed to consume feed rapidly and complete chewing later
   - RUMINATION!
   2.Designed to consume large amounts of roughages (high in cellulose)
2. Unique symbiosis between micro-organisms and animal
   4.Four digestive chambers
   5.Produce around 180L of saliva per day (rumen buffer)
3. Ruminant animals are born as monogastric animals
4. Amino acids synthesised from NPN

Question 2

List gases produced by ruminant animals

Answer 2

• CO2
• CH4
• N2
• O2
• H2
• peak gas production within 30 min to 2 hours post-feeding

Question 3

Why do ruminants ruminate?

Answer 3

1. Allows rapid intake and storage for later digestion
2. Reduces particle size
   - Increases surface area for microbial attachment and digestion/fermentation
3. Breaks down impervious plant walls
   4.Stimulation of saliva - NB as buffering agent

Question 4

What does rumination depend on ?

Answer 4

• Forage to concentrate ratio of feed
• Forage particle size in feed

Question 5

Favourable conditions are provided by the host to microbes

Answer 5

• Anaerobic environment
• Regular feed intake
• Constant suitable temperature 38-42˚C
• Favourable pH ±6.5
• Feed mass is constantly mixed and finer materials and waste are removed

Question 6

Host benefits from microbes:

Answer 6

• Microbes synthesis B-vitamins
• Conversion of NPN to amino acids (microbial protein)
• Breakdown of fibre which is otherwise inaccessible
  -Detoxification of toxins
• E.g. mycotoxins

Question 7

three different kingdoms of microbes/micro-organisms present in rumen and reticulum

Answer 7

1. Bacteria (a lot)
2. Protozoa
3. Fungi (the least)

Question 8

Microbes ferment feed yielding key end product like:

Answer 8

1. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) – Acetic, Butyric, Propionic acid
   - Absorbed through the rumen wall
2. Microbial crude protein (MCP)
   - Passes into abomasum and small intestines for
   further digestion
3. Methane and carbon dioxide gas
   - Lost by eructation

Question 9

how does fibre and concentrate help with rumen development

Answer 9

1. Rumen papillae development (dependent on butyric acid)
2. Rumen capacity/size (dependent on fibre intake)