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Ruminal Digestion
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:05:30
Abstract
This course broadens the knowledge in one of the most important aspects of ruminant nutrition: the microbial digestion in the rumen (and in the hindgut). For a comprehensive understanding of the rumen microbial ecosystem, the mechanisms of nutrient fermentation and the synthesis of microbial protein, thorough basics are provided. Apart from lectures, laboratory exercises are included.
Objective
The course enables students to understand in detail how ruminal digestion works and how this knowledge can be applied to design optimal feeding diets using highly fibrous forages and a variety of other feeds. The students also are able to show how to modify the most important rumen microbes beneficially by nutritional means.
Content
Structure of the contact hour part of the course (14 h): 2 h Introduction and blackboard exercise 8 h Basic topics in ruminal digestion: - Systematics of the microbes involved in microbial digestion - Measurement of microbial digestion - Interactions of microbes and epithelium of the digestive tract - Differences between ruminal and hindgut microbial digestion - Microbial nutrient degradation and its modification - Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis - Manipulation of the ruminal digestion 2 h Laboratory exercise with a rumen fistulated cow and the Rumen Simulation Technique 2 h Concluding seminary The non-contact hour part is to comprehend the information given and to prepare either the written report or the oral presentation (cf. "Besonderes")
Resources
Lecture Notes
A documentation will be provided at the start of the course.
Literature
Will be communicated at the start of the course.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Ruminal Digestion |
|
1 h weekly |