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Topic # 3045
RUMINANT DIGESTION
Created by: Tracey Hoffman
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/classes/asc106/girumin.htm
Rumination - the regurgitation, rechewing and reswallowing of ingested feed
Cud - mass of regurgitated ingesta; bolus
Process of rumination
1.
2.
3.
4.
regurgitate bolus from rumen
rechew and reinsalivate
reswallow
repeat with another bolus
1. Mouth
- contains dental pad, teeth, tongue and saliva
- saliva contains no salivary amylase
2. Esophagus
- tube from mouth to stomach
- tube from stomach to mouth
3. Rumen - large fermentation vat; also called the "paunch"
A. anaerobic
B. Temperature = 39oC (103oF)
C. saturated with gasses
D. constant motion
Rumen Size
Species
1000lb cow
150 lb ewe
Maximum
~55-60 gallon
~5-10 gallons
Functions of Microorganisms
1. digest roughages to make Volatile Fatty Acids
2. make protein
3. make vitamins K and B complex
(Very similar to cecum of hind gut fermentors)
The function of the rumen is to house microorganisms.
4. Reticulum
A. "honeycomb"
B. houses microorganisms
C. catches hardware (ingested by animal)
D. houses the opening to the omasum
5. Omasum
A. "manyplies"
B. full of folded tissue
C. water absorption
6. Abomasum
A. true stomach
Normal Content
25-30 gallon
3-5 gallons
B. pepsin
HCl
7. Small Intestine
A. enzymatic digestion and absorption
B. Functions of the small intestine:
- digestion of proteins
- carbohydrates
- fats
- absorption of the end products of digestion
- Parts of small intestine
1. duodenum
2. jejunum
3. ileum
8. Cecum - some microbial fermentation
9. Large Intestine
A. water absorption
B. waste storage
Young Ruminants
1. essentially non-ruminants
2. rumen and reticulum are non-functional
3. abomasum is largest part of stomach
4. dry feed stimulates reticulorumen
5. esophygeal groove allows milk consumed to go through rumen and reticulum
to the intestines.