Digestive Systems

RUMINANTS, MONOGASTRICS, EQUINE, & AVIAN

AUGUSTUS OESTREICH,

References

Gastrointestinal physiology [electronic resource] : a clinical

approach, Trowers, Eugene. Springer 2014. Pgs. 106-108

Comparative medicine [electronic resource] : anatomy and

physiology, Springer 2014. Pgs. 140-159

Avian Anatomy, Lucas, Alfred M. U.S. Agricultural Research

Service 1972. Pgs. 62-64

Digestion

Digestion is breaking feed down into simple substances that can

be absorbed by the body.

Digestion occurs when feeds are broken up mechanically and

acted upon by enzymes and other digestive juices.

Most absorption of nutrients takes place in the small intestine.

Digestive System

Mouth

Esophagus

Stomach

Small Intestine

Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum

Large Intestine

cecum, colon, rectum

Mouth

Teeth - Chewing, reduces particle size, increases surface area of

food particles.

Tongue Tasting, rumination, grasping of feed.

Salivary glands Secrete saliva.

Esophagus

Connects mouth with stomach.

Transport ingested food through muscle

contractions.

no digestive processes are performed; it is

merely a transportation organ.

Stomach

Ruminants
Divided in 4 compartments
Site of microbial fermentation

Non ruminants

Acid and enzymatic digestion, initial breakdown of proteins.

Gastric secretions.

The stomachs main function is to further downgrade the food.

Small Intestine

Enzymatic digestion occurs.

Main Function is the absorption of the foods nutrients, minerals, and

vitamins.

Divided into 3 sections.

Duodenum-Foods mix with bile from the gallbladder and digestive juices
from the pancreas.

Jejunum-Inside intestinal walls absorb the food's nutrients. Where most

absorption occurs.

Ilium- Responsible for the absorption of vitamin B 12 and the reabsorption

of conjugated bile salts.

Small Intestine

Large Intestine

Divided into 3 sections.

Cecum- absorbs fluids and salts that remain after completion of

intestinal digestion.

Colon- Microbial fermentation, absorption of water and minerals,

and the formation and elimination of feces.

Rectum Formation of feces, H2O absorption.

Large Intestine

Ruminants

Examples of Ruminants

Cows, Sheep, Goats

Have a four compartment stomach

Often called Cud Chewers

Digestive System of Ruminants

Stomach in ruminants comprises 25 % of body

Rumen comprises 75 % of stomach

Fermentation: digest cellulose, plant tissue, urea, NPN,

B & K vitamins

Consist of bacteria and protozoa (200 billion/teaspoon)

Characteristics of Ruminants

Mouth

no upper incisor or wolf teeth

use lips and tongue to grab food

Four compartments to the ruminant

Consist of microorganisms

Produce Volatile Fatty Acids/ acetic, propionic, butyric

Saliva in Ruminants

Helps maintain rumen pH

Carries recycle N back into the rumen to nourish micro flora

Surfactant anti foaming agent, helps prevent bloat

Ruminant Digestive System

4 Compartments of Rumen
Digestive System
Reticulum
Rumen
Omasum
Abomasum

Rumen

Serves as the primary site for

microbial fermentation of feed.

Microbial enzymes breakdown

plant material.

Ferment fiber into Volatile Fatty

Acids(VFAs)

Major site of VFA absorption

Breakdown and formation of

protein.

Reticulum

Often referred to as the Honeycomb.

Heavy or dense feed and foreign objects

settle here.

It is the site of hardware disease in cattle

and because of the proximity to the heart
and can be life-threatening.

Made of muscle, forces food back into

esophagus for regurgitation.

Omasum

Grinds roughage.

Great surface area.

Main responsibility is water

absorption.

Abomasum

The only true stomach.

Similar to a monogastric stomach.

Storage of food.

Mixing.

Rumination

Rumination-Fermentation

Re chewing usually > 8 hours/day dependent on diet (increase fiber,

increase rumination time)

CO2 and Methane are the primary gases given off during rumen
fermentation
Ruminants roughly spend around 8 hours a day eating, 8 hours a day
chewing its cud, and 8 hours sleeping.

MONOGASTRICS

Examples of Mongastrics

Humans, Pigs, Dogs, Cats,

Have a single compartment stomach

Cannot digest cellulose as efficiently as ruminant.

Better adapted to eat rations high in concentrates. (high energy

low fiber)

Monogastric System

Monogastric System

Hind-Gut fermenters

Seen in monogastric herbivores.

Microbial Fermentation occurs in the large intestine and cecum.

Have a large intestine and cecum much larger and complex than
a foregut fermenter.

Examples include:

Horses

Rabbits

Rats and mice

Equine Digestive Tract

Hind-Gut fermenters.

Have a relatively small stomach.

Prefer small meals many times a day.

Large Intestine & Cecum

Important for fiber digestion, production of VFAs.

Site of microbial fermentation.

Very large.

Equine Digestive Tract

Colic

Defined as any abdominal pain, not just intestinal abnormality.

Covers a range of problems from excess gas buildup to twisting

of the intestines.

Signs of colic:

Leaving food

Laying down

Pawing

Kicking at belly etc

Colic Continued

Gas Colic: Most common type of colic

Result of gas buildup in the horses digestive tract due to excess

fermentation and inability to pass gas.

Usually caused by overeating (especially of grain) or a change in diet.

Treatment: medication, walking, or loading in trailer.

Prevention: Good management, provide adequate roughage, gradual

changes to diet, reduce stress.

Avian

High metabolic rates

Eat just about anything

Adapted for grinding hard or encased foods.

Digestive system is light and efficient as possible.

Avian Digestive System

Avian System

Crop Used for the storage of food prior to digestion.

Avian Stomach

Consists of 2 parts Proventriculus & Gizzard

Proventriculus Provides digestive secretions

Gizzard Located after proventriculus. Very

muscular and used for grinding food.

Small Intestine

Vary in length depending on diet.

Longer in herbivores and shorter in

carnivores.

Similar functions as ruminants and

mongastrics.

Large intestine

Similar functions as ruminants and monogastrics.

Cloaca Located at the terminal end of the large intestine.

Chamber in which urinary and genital canals open.

Ceca pouches located at junction of small and large

intestine. Further contribute to fiber digestion and absorption.

Conclusion

Digestion- The process of breaking food down so it can be utilized

by the body by mechanical and enzymatic action.
Ruminants, Monogastrics, Equine, & Avian.

Review

Ruminants have a _________ compartment stomach.

The ________________ is also referred to as the honeycomb.

Most nutrient absorption takes place in the _____?

True or false?

Horses are ruminant animals.