Livestock Digestive Systems
Ruminant Digestive System
• Objectives:– Know the four parts of the ruminant stomach.– Know examples of animals that have a rumen.– Be able to describe the function of all four of
the parts of the ruminant stomach.
What are some animals that have Rumens?
• ?
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Deer
Elk
What do all of these animals have in common?
• They all live off of grass, and other roughages.
Why can’t we live off of the same things cows eat?
How can a Ruminant digest these things?
• Through the process of rumination – Eating rapidly, regurgitating and masticating
their feed. (Chewing their cud)
• With specialized structures in their stomach– Ruminants have microorganisms living in them
that break down cellulose for them and make those nutrients absorbable.
What are these four structures?
Rumen
• Large fermentation vat
• Microorganisms break down cellulose– Creates lost of gases (methane)– Ruminants have to be able to eructate (belch)
• Some nutrients are absorbed
• Roughages are reduced in size
Rumen Feed Storage
Gas
Today’s Hay
Yesterday’s Feed
Rumen (Punch)
Reticulum
• Collects objects that shouldn’t be in the digestive system.– Nails– Screws– Baling wire
• Magnets are placed into many dairy animals reticulums.
Reticulum (Hardware Stomach or Tripe)
Omasum
• Works to remove water from the food
• Absorbs fatty acids
Omasum (manyplies)
Abomasum
• Glandular Stomach (like yours)
• Secretes digestive juices.
• Breaks down food stuff further for absorption.
• Absorbs some nutrients.
Abomasum (True Stomach)
Order that food moves.
• Rumen
• Reticulum
• Omasum
• Abomasum
Hint to remember Alphabetically back-words.
Ru Re O A
Review
Give me an example of an animal that has a rumen?
Name the four compartments of the ruminant stomach?
What does a rumen help and animal break down that we can’t?
What are the common names of the four parts of the ruminant stomach?
Nice Work!
Now on to the assignment!