Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism


Book Description

The first edition of this book. Published in 1993, was very well received as providing a comprehensive review of the digestion and metabolism of ruminant animals. Since its publication, much new research has been conducted in the subject and knowledge has increased. This new edition includes Dr. Dijkstra as an additional editor and four completely new chapters. These cover: the gas production technique in feed evaluation; the relationship between pasture characteristics and animal performance; calorimetry; and feed processing. Other chapters have been expanded or updated as appropriate.




Physiological Aspects of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants


Book Description

This volume is comprised of invited papers presented at the Seventh International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, held in Sendai, Japan, in September 1989. Papers are invited on the recommendations of 300 international experts. The proceedings of this symposia provides the most comprehensive coverage available of current research in ruminant physiology.




The Rumen and Its Microbes


Book Description

The Rumen and Its Microbes is a contribution to the ecology of this important microbial habitat. Relatively few microbial habitats have been subjected to a thorough quantitative ecological analysis. The rumen fermentation is peculiarly suitable because of its relatively constant and continuous nature and because of the very rapid rates of conversion of organic matter. Although analysis of the ruminant-microbe symbiosis is still far from complete, knowledge is sufficient for formulation of principles and for identification and measurement of important parameters. The first eight chapters of the book include a description of the rumen and its microbes, their activities, and the extent of these activities. This basic biology provides a framework in which applications to agriculture can be evaluated. These applications are discussed in the last four chapters: host metabolism, variation in the rumen, possible practical applications, and abnormalities in rumen function.




Ruminant Nitrogen Usage


Book Description

This book brings together the latest research on protein absorption by ruminants and takes a look at the calculation of optimum nutrient requirements, including bacterial digestion, in the calculations. It also describes the parameters of nitrogen conversion in the ruminant and examines the different kinds of protein found in animal feedstuffs. "Animal Feed Science and Technology" calls it "essential for all scientists and teachers actively working in ruminant nutrition research and instruction."




Ruminant Physiology


Book Description

The International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP) is the premier forum for presentation and discussion of advances in knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. This book brings together edited versions of the keynote review papers presented at the symposium.




Modeling Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism


Book Description

Role of mminants in human food production; Whyan animal scientist would choose to model animal systems; Basic organization of this book; Modeling principIes and terminology; Classification of models; Objectives in modeling; The modeling process I objective statements, block diagrams, equation forms and parameterization; Steps in modeling; Setting the modeling objective; Block diagrams; Formulation of mathematical statements; Development of numerical inputs; The modeling process II - solution algorithms, model evaluations and parameter estimation; Model solution algorithms; Evaluation of management and research models; Evaluation and use of analytical models for parameter estimation; Decision support software; Animal energetic models; Thermodynamic concepts in nutrition; Historical development of bases for feeding system models; Energy requirements for maintenance and production; Equations used to estimate maintenance and costs of production; Components of maintenanace; Protein and amino acid models; Current protein and amino acid systems; Analytic models of amino aicd and protein metabolism; Dynamic modeling; Biology and algebraic models of ruminant digestion; The rumen microbes and their metabolism; Balance models of ruminant digestion; An analytical model of rumen digestion; Microbial growth elements; Biology and algebraic models of growth; Classical equations for growth; Nutritional models of growth; Concepts of lhe basic biology of growth used in mechanistic models; Biology of lactation; Decent evolution of feeding systems for lactating dairy cattle; An analytical model of nutrient transactions during lactation; Dynamic models of ruminant digestion; Early dynamic models; Current dynamic models; Dynamic models of ruminant adipose tissue metabolism; Evolution of steady-state balance model; Radioisotope tracer elemets; Dynamic models of ruminant mammary metabolism; Development of model inputs and initial parameters; Descriptions of a model of mammary gland metabolism; Dynamic models of liver and viscera metabolism; Overall structure and notation; Mechanistic, dynamic models of growth; Beef growth models; Sheep growth and metabolism model; Lactation Background on MOLL Y. CSL; The program MOLL Y. CSL; Evaluation and use of a growth and lactation model; Behavioral analyses; Sensitivity analyses; Bioeconomic analyse.




The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem


Book Description

The Preface to the first edition of this book explained the reasons for the publication of a comprehensive text on the rumen and rumen microbes in 1988. The microbes of the ruminant's forestomach and those in related organs in other animals and birds provide the means by which herbivorous animals can digest and obtain nutriment from vegetation. In turn, humans have relied, and still do rely, on herbivores for much of their food, clothing and motive power. Herbivores also form the food of carnivorous animals and birds in the wild. The importance of the rumen microorganisms is thus apparent. But, while a knowledge of rumen organisms is not strictly neces sary for the normal, practical feeding of farm animals, in recent years there has been much more emphasis on increasing the productivity of domesti cated animals and in rearing farm animals on unusual feedstuffs. Here, a knowledge of the reactions of the rumen flora, and the limits to these reactions, can be invaluable. In addition, anaerobic rumen-type microor ganisms are found in the intestines of omnivores, including humans, and can be implicated in diseases of humans and animals. They are also found in soils and natural waters, where they playa part in causing pollution and also in reducing it, while the same organisms confined in artificial systems are essential for the purification of sewage and other polluting and toxic wastes.




Digestive Physiology and Metabolism in Ruminants


Book Description

Two questions could not be avoided in the avant-propos of this book; (i) what is the importance to man of ruminant livestock, and (ii) what results of practical relevance in the growing mountain of scientific verbiage could be found in the Proceedings of this Symposium. Herbivores are an integral and critical part of the natural ecosystem which must be preserved because of their impact on human welfare. Wh at makes ruminants especially important to man is that they can thrive on fibrous forage and are thus the only viable enterprise over much of the earth's surface where crop growing is impracti cable. They contribute a wide array of products in addition to 50000 000 tonnes ofmeat (1977) and represent a 'capital reserve' that can be drawn upon in times of emergency: milk for example (450000000 tonnes) can make the difference between subsistence and starvation. About 60% of the world's meat and 80 % of the milk are produced by one third of the world ruminant population in the developed regions and as much as 99 % of the power for agriculture is provided by the ruminant population in developing countries. For the next two decades, a probable increase by 30 % for . cattle and buffalo and more than 40 % for sheep and goats is expected by improving health, fertility, nutrition and genetic potential rather than feed resources.




Protein Deposition in Animals


Book Description

Protein Deposition in Animals explores the factors controlling protein deposition in farm animals including fish, poultry, and ruminants. Topics covered range from protein biosynthesis in eukaryotic cells and protein metabolism in intact animals to whole-body amino acid metabolism, synthesis of egg proteins, and metabolism of the fetus. The energy costs of protein metabolism, dietary constraints on nitrogen retention, and metabolism in muscle are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the factors that influence protein production by animals. This book is comprised of 15 chapters; the first of which explains some fundamental aspects of protein synthesis, followed by a topic of the molecular control of protein breakdown. Two chapters then consider the measurement of whole-body protein metabolism and the integration of the metabolism of individual organs with the rest of the animal. Two 'tissues', the muscle and the fetus, are singled out for detailed analysis in subsequent chapters, while another chapter describes the synthesis of egg proteins. The factors that influence overall nitrogen retention by the animals are also examined, along with the energy costs of protein deposition, hormonal influences on protein deposition, and the use of anabolic agents to manipulate growth. Two chapters, one on poultry and the other on ruminants, are concerned with predicting rates of protein deposition. This text concludes by discussing the protein metabolism in fish. This book will be of interest to scientists working in the fields of applied biochemistry, animal nutrition and physiology, physiology, and agriculture.




Nutritional Improvement of Food and Feed Proteins


Book Description

The nutritional quality of a protein depends on the proportion of its amino acids-especially the essential amino acids-their physio logical availability, and the specific requirements of the consumer. Availability varies and depends on protein source, interaction with other dietary components, and the consumer's age and physiological state. In many foods, especially those from plants, low levels of various essential amino acids limits their nutritive value. This is particularly important for cereals (which may be inadequate in the essential amino acids isoleucine, lysine, threonine, and tryto phan) and legumes (which are often poor sources of methionine). Moreover, these commodities are principle sources of protein for much of the earth's rapidly growing population. At the current annual growth rate of about 2 percent, the world population of about 4 billion will increase to 6.5 billion by the year 2000 and to 17 billion by the year 2050. Five hundred milliQn people are presently estimated to suffer protein malnutrition, with about fifteen thousand daily deaths. The ratio of malnourished to adequately nourished will almost surely increase. For these reasons, and especially in view of the limited availability of high quality (largely animal) protein to feed present and future populations, improvement of food and feed quality is especially important.