System 2 pseudo-ruminants Flashcards
What is the key difference between pseudo-ruminants and true ruminants?
Hindgut fermentation
in pseudo-ruminants where is the caecum located and what is it?
The caecum is located in connection with the large intestine and is a large blind sac. This will go and ferment the fibre which will release VFA, free amino acid, vitamins and minerals,
Is the microbe population in the pseudo-ruminant caecum large or small?
Large population
What does the pseudo-ruminant caecum do?
It allows for optimal fermentation of soluble and insoluble fibres. It does this through moving food back and forth between the colon and caecum for fermentation of these fibres.
What is the type of diet of pseudo-ruminants?
High fibre and low nutrient density (low amount of essential nutrients in the food)
How do they breakdown the insoluble fibres?
They are able to breakdown insoluble fibres as the digestive fluids lubricate the surface and can attack the bond in the digestive enzymes.
What is a fringe environment?
A fringe environment is an “environment” that is created when their is a low amount of nutrients dense food present/available.
What is coprophagy? What animals typically do this?
Coprophagy is when a species consumes their feces. This is done to help ensure they get the adequate amount of their essential nutrients in. As stated, pseudo-ruminants do not consume a high nutrient dense diet and as a result they will need the production of VFA’s to receive an adequate amount of energy. Plus to get nutrients they consume their feces to get the nutrients that would have been lost.
The poo is rich in bacteria (proteins and lipids), free amino acids and vitamins and minerals.
What are the feces (1) of rabbits rich in?
The feces of rabbits (1) has a greenish appearance and is rich in bacteria, some free amino acids, vitamins and minerals that were made through fermentation.
Are the stomach and small intestines better at absorbing the essential nutrients from the feces (1)?
The pseudo-ruminants are more successful at digesting and absorbing the essential nutrients that are found in the feces (1) which allows them to get the bacteria, some amino acids, vitamins and minerals which would have been lost if they did not consume these foods.
Should horses consume a lot of starch or a small amount of starches?
Horses should consume a small amount of starches to much starch is not healthy for horses. Horses have a small intestine so a lot of the starches would not have enough time to be digested and absorbed and as a result would go the caecum and large intestine which would cause dsyregulation. The dsyregulation would cause lactic acidosis
Why is lactic acidosis bad and how is it caused?
When horses consume a high amount of starches it can not be digested in the small intestine as there is not enough time and as a result will be transported to the caecum and large intestine which causes dsyregulation of the bacteria metabolism in the large intenstine. This dsyregulation of bacteria metabolism results in the lactic acidosis which kills beneficial microbes causing loss in colon motility. This can lead to colic which can be lethal.
Why are animals like horses given more starches even though it is bad?
Some animals are given starches to increase the fat of the meat and some to encourage more milk production.
