Sistema digestivo bovino ( Parte 1 ) - Programa Valeu Vallée

Summary

This special four-part series delves into the digestive system of bovines, exploring their unique, multi-chambered stomach and the intricacies of their digestion process. Key topics include the rumination cycle, the function of the rumen, reticulum, and omasum, and the critical role of saliva in digestion. The program also highlights the differences between adult and young bovines' digestive systems, and provides insights into the animals' feeding behaviors in extensive farming systems. Additionally, the series covers the importance of proper nutrition and management for improving bovine productivity, featuring products like Move, a dietary supplement for optimal livestock care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bovine digestive systems are unique and require understanding for efficient feeding and management.
• 😀 Ruminants like bovines regurgitate food from the rumen, chew it again, and then swallow it, which aids in digestion.
• 😀 Bovine stomachs have four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, each with a specific role in digestion.
• 😀 The rumen is the largest compartment and has a papillary structure that helps in microbial fermentation and breaking down fibrous food.
• 😀 The reticulum, or 'honeycomb,' is the smallest compartment and acts as a pacemaker, regulating the rumen’s movements.
• 😀 The omasum has leaf-like structures, which help further break down food particles and absorb water.
• 😀 The abomasum is the true stomach where digestion occurs through the action of gastric juices.
• 😀 Saliva in bovines plays a key role in digestion, providing lubrication and aiding in the breakdown of food.
• 😀 Bovine saliva has antifoaming properties and helps in regulating food passage through the digestive tract.
• 😀 The first week of a calf's life sees a very different digestive anatomy, with the rumen underdeveloped and reliant on milk, and solid feed is introduced later to stimulate rumen growth.
• 😀 The efficiency of the digestive system, including microbial fermentation, is essential for the proper nutrient absorption necessary for growth and milk production in bovines.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the special series on bovine digestive systems?

The series focuses on the digestive system of cattle, particularly how food travels through their gastrointestinal tract. It covers the anatomy, physiology, and characteristics of the digestive system in bovines, including the unique features of ruminants.

What is the process of rumination in bovines?

Rumination is the process in which bovines regurgitate food that has already undergone partial digestion in the rumen, chew it again to break it down further, and then swallow it again for further digestion.

How many compartments do the stomachs of bovines have, and what are they called?

Bovines have four stomach compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. The first three are considered pre-stomachs, while the abomasum is the true stomach where digestion occurs.

What is the role of the rumen in bovine digestion?

The rumen is the largest of the pre-stomachs and plays a critical role in microbial digestion and mechanical breakdown of coarse, fibrous foods like grass. It has a large capacity and is responsible for fermenting and breaking down plant materials.

What is the significance of saliva in bovine digestion?

Saliva is essential for lubrication during chewing and swallowing, as well as aiding in the breakdown of food. It also acts as an anti-foaming agent and helps eliminate some nutrients that are not beneficial to the animal.

How does the diet of a calf differ from that of an adult bovine in terms of digestion?

In calves, the rumen is underdeveloped, and their primary food source is milk. The rumen and other pre-stomachs grow and develop as the calf begins to eat solid food, especially concentrates that stimulate the growth of papillae in the rumen.

Why do bovines spend so much time ruminating?

Bovines typically spend around eight hours a day ruminating, as it is necessary for breaking down food into smaller particles, which allows for better absorption of nutrients. The process also helps in efficiently digesting fibrous, coarse foods.

What happens to the food after it is regurgitated during rumination?

After the food is regurgitated, it is re-chewed to reduce its particle size. The finely chewed food is then sent back to the rumen for further microbial digestion, with the finer particles moving to the lower part of the rumen for absorption.

How does the feeding behavior of bovines relate to their physical characteristics?

Bovines use their long, immobile tongues to grasp food, and they lack upper incisors, instead using their lower incisors against the hard upper palate to cut grass or other feed. This physical adaptation aids in their ability to feed efficiently.

What is the importance of good quality solid food for calves in their early development?

Providing high-quality solid food, especially concentrates, is crucial for stimulating the growth of the rumen in calves. It encourages the development of papillae in the rumen, which is vital for the animal to properly digest fibrous food as it matures.