Intro to ruminant digestion

Introduction To Ruminant Digestion

By Joey Martin

http://35.9.122.184/images/41-AnimalNutrition

Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

Ruminant Digestion

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Common Ruminants

• Cattle• Sheep• Goat

»http://www.horsells-farm.co.uk/images/Large/hay_straw.jpg


Digestive Tract of Ruminants

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?m=20050903Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/ansc442/Semprojs/2003/feedlamb/mag1.htm


Digestion • Ruminants: Have a four compartment

stomach vs. one of the monogastric (ex. humans, pigs)

• The four compartments are: RUMEN, RETICULUM, OMASUM, ABOMASUM.

• The stomach of a ruminant occupies ¾ of the abdominal cavity


Rumen

• This is the first compartment of a ruminant animal. Most feed collects here after being swallowed. Cellulose is broken down here with the help of rumen microbes.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/components/DI0469-02.html


Rumen

1. On left side of the animal2. Largest part of the stomach, makes up

80% of the stomach3. Lighter feed collects here (cellulose)4. Absorbs nutrients 5. Requires a lot of water


Reticulum

• Second compartment of the stomach• There are many folds and its nickname is

honeycomb

http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/Labs/Lab21/Lab21.htm


Reticulum

1. Hardware stomach-Traps any foreign material that the animal may picks up. It is very thick and therefore harder to damage. Stores foreign objects so that damaging items do not go through the digestive tract.

2. Honeycomb shape3. Helps open and close rumen, makes up 5% of

the stomach4. Absorbs nutrients


Omasum

• Third chamber of the stomach • Nicknamed manyplies

http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/Labs/Lab21/Lab21.htm


Omasum

1. Right side of animal, makes up 8% of the stomach

2. Called manyplies because it looks like pages of a book

3. Absorbs nutrients


Abomasum

• Fourth compartment of the stomach • Where true digestion occurs


Abomasum

1. On right side of animal, 8% of stomach2. Enzyme activity breaks down feed3. Nickname: True stomach


Small Intestine• Upper part of the intestine where

digestion is complete and nutrients are absorbed into the body

1. Long in length, about 150 feet long2. Aids in further digestion after feed goes through

the stomach

http://www.bioschool.co.uk/bioschool.co.uk


Large Intestine

• Goes from the ileum to the anus and includes the cecum, colon, and rectum.

1. Absorbs water2. Some vitamins and minerals are also absorbed

here


Aids in Nutrient Absorption

• Rumen Microbes- Bacteria or protozoa live in stomach and help breakdown feed

http://res2.agr.ca/lethbridge/emia/TEMproj/rumenbac_e.htm


Aids in Nutrient Absorption

• Saliva- helps protect the stomach by acting as a buffer. Contains alkaline which helps maintain the rumen microbial.

• Pancreas- helps breakdown fat by secreting enzymes.

• Liver- Contains bile which helps digest fat.


Keys for Digestion

• Nutrients: Digestion helps animals obtain nutrients from their feed. This is important for many reasons:– Growth– Maintenance – Production (making of

milk)– Reproduction

http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/results.


Nutrients Needed

• Fats (lipids)• Protein• Carbohydrates• Vitamins• Minerals• Water

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THAT’S ALL FOLKS Table of content1. Dr. Stan Henderson DSCI 121 Elements of Dairying

Henderson S. 2004. Elemints of Dairying lecture notes2. http://www.glenroseffa.org/lesson%20plans.htm


http://www.glenroseffa.org/lesson%20plans.htm

Intro to ruminant digestion

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