Ruminant
Digestion of Carbohydrates
Monosaccharides
Do not need hydrolysis before absorption Very little (if any) in most feeds Relatively large molecules Must be hydrolyzed prior to absorption Hydrolyzed to monosaccharides
Only monosaccharides can be absorbed
Mouth
Salivary amylase Breaks starches down to maltose Plays only a small role in breakdown because of the short time food is in the mouth Ruminants do not have this enzyme Not all monogastrics secrete it in saliva
Carbohydrate Digestion
Pancreas
Pancreatic amylase Hydrolyzes alpha 1-4 linkages Produces monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides Major importance in hydrolyzing starch and glycogen to maltose
Polysaccharides
Amylase
Disaccharides
Digestion mediated by enzymes synthesized by cells lining the small intestine (brush border)
Brush Border Enzymes
Disaccharides
Monosaccharides
Glucose + Fructose
Maltose
Maltase
Glucose + Glucose
Lactose
Lactase
Glucose + Galactose
Digestion of Disaccharides
Newborns
Enzymes
Salivary Amylase (amylase from saliva) Pancreatic Amylase Brush Border Enzymes
Large Intestine
None
With exception of newborn animal (first 24 hours), no di-, tri-, or polysaccharides are absorbed
Monosaccharides absorbed primarily in duodenum and jejunum
Little absorption in stomach and large intestine
Portal Vein
Active Transport
Liver
Polysaccharides broken down to monosaccharides Monosaccharides taken up by active transport or facilitated diffusion and carried to liver Glucose is transported to cells requiring energy Insulin influences rate of cellular uptake
Reticulorumen
Microbial Populations
Microbial Populations
Microbial Metabolism
Sugars
ADP
Catabolism
in rumen:
ATP
NADP+ NADPH
Growth Maintenance Replication
Cellulose, hemicellulose digested by cellulases and hemicellulases Complex polysaccharides are digested to yield sugars that are fermented to produce VFA Starches and simple sugars are more rapidly fermented to VFA
Small Intestine
Secretion of digestive enzymes Digestive secretions from pancreas and liver Further digestion of carbohydrates Absorption of H2O, minerals, amino acids, glucose, fatty acids
Composition Rumen Digestion (%/h) _____________________________________________________ Sugars 200-350 Fermentation and Organic Acids 1-2 ___________________________________________________________ Starch 10-40 Soluble Available Fiber 40-60 Pectins B glucans ___________________________________________________________ Insoluble Available Fiber 2-10 Cellulose Hemicellulose ___________________________________________________________ Unavailable Fiber (lignin) 0
VFAs
Glucose
3 basic types:
O CH 3 C O
CH3 CH2 C O O
CH3 CH2 CH2 C O O
VFA Formation
2 acetate + CO2 + CH4 + heat
1 Glucose
2 propionate + water
Rumen Fermentation
Gases (carbon dioxide and methane) are primary byproducts of rumen fermentation Usually these gases are eructated or belched out - if not, bloat occurs Bloat results in a severe distension of the rumen typically on the left side of the ruminant and can result in death
Uses of VFA
Acetate
Propionate
Butyrate
100:0 75:25
71.4 68.2
16.0 18.1
7.9 8.0
50:50
40:60
65.3
59.8
18.4
25.9
10.4
10.2
20:80
53.6
30.6
10.7
Metabolism of VFA
Overview
Acetate and butyrate are the major energy sources (through oxidation) Propionate is reserved for gluconeogenesis Acetate is the major substrate for lipogenesis
Glucose Requirements
There is less fluctuation in blood glucose in ruminants and blood glucose is lower at 40-60 mg/dl Reduced fluctuation due to:
Eat more constantly than monogastrics Continuous VFA production Continuous digesta flow Continuous gluconeogenesis
Rumen
Propionate
_____________________________________________ Blood Fatty Acids Amino Acids Glucose _____________________________________________ Tissue Lactose Fat Protein
Ruminant
Zero
Non ruminant
High primates Moderate pig Low - carnivores Zero in MOST cases Very low High High Low to High
Pregastric fermentation High+ Gastric Pancreatic amylase in SI Glucose absorption from SI Post SI Very low
Moderate
Zero to low Low