Rumen fermentation in ruminants The unique feature of digestive physiology in the ruminants is the fermentative digestion  known as microbial digestion which occurs  in the rumen and reticulum. Microbial digestion of food also occurs in the three chambered ruminates, camel, lama and in the stomach of marsupials and in hippopotamus. Anaerobic ciliate protozoa and non-spore forming anaerobic bacteria and anaerobic fungi are […]

Foreign objects in rumen Indigestible  objects which are occasionally swallowed without proper mastication pass to the rumen. If the surface of the piece is sharp, it causes inflammatory reaction in the mucosa of reticulum and  rumen. This leads to infectious spread on pericardium, peritoneum or pleuaral membrane (Traumatic Reticulo Peritonitis and Traumatic Pericarditis). High density material pass via cranial

Mechanical factors influencing motility of rumen When animal feeds, heavier boli  they pass from oesophagus to cranial sac of rumen and are immediately passed into reticulum and omasum through reticulo-omasal opening. Heavier feed are retained less time for microbial fermentation. Coarse particles of hay are retained for more hours than finely chopped hay. Fermentative activity and contractions of the pillars of

Motility in rumen and reticulum There are two patterns of motility are seen in reticulo-rumen  Primary or mixing contractions called primary cycle Secondary or eructation contractions known as secondary cycle Primary contractions The primary cycle consists of a biphasic contraction of reticulum a caudal moving single contraction of dorsal sac a contraction of ventral sac of rumen. In the

Digestion in ruminants stomach Features of digestion in ruminants Gastro intestinal tract has colonies of microbes. As the animal grows the type of microbes gets modified according to the type of diet. Host animal and its populations of gut microbes interact. There is a complex interaction between the host animal and microbial population. Host animal

Functions of the saliva Saliva has lubricating function that facilitates the mastication and swallowing of ingested food. The mucin content provides an adhesive to food to form bolus for swallowing. Water soluble components of food get dissolved in saliva which gain access to the taste buds to distinguish different tastes which in turn produces large

Nerve supply of salivary glands Nerve Innervation in salivary glands In addition to neural or hormonal stimuli the secretory cells of the salivary glands secrete saliva spontaneously. Neural stimulation produce more secretion in most species. The salivary glands receive both efferent innervations  of sympathetic and para sympathetic nervous system which mainly act synergistically on the salivary glands. Sympathetic

Salivary gland and its secretion Salivon is the functional salivary unit. It begins most proximally as several Acini which converge into a intercalated duct. Numerous intercalated ducts unite to form a striated duct. A group of these ducts directly drain their content into glandular tubule which pour their content into fewer excretory ducts. Finally, the

Digestive parts of gut Esophagus Oesophagus is a muscular tube like structure extends from the pharynx to the stomach. In dog, cattle and sheep, the muscular layer is striated throughout the length of the oesophagus, whereas in pigs and horse, it begins as striated but becomes smooth muscles at caudal oesophagus. The pharyngeo–oesophageal junction is normally closed by oesophageal sphincter. Vagus