751-7211-00L  Ruminal Digestion

SemesterAutumn Semester 2017
LecturersA. Schwarm
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThis 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, group and laboratory exercises are included.
ObjectiveThe 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.
ContentStructure of the contact hour part of the course (14 h):

2 h Introduction and blackboard exercise

8 h Basic topics in ruminal digestion, lectures and group exercises:
- 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 Final seminar


The non-contact hour part is to comprehend the information given and to prepare either the written report or the oral presentation (cf. "Besonderes")
Lecture notesLecture notes are provided via Moodle.
LiteratureWill be communicated at the start of the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course is a balanced mixture of blackboard exercise, laboratory exercise, group exercise, lecture and student seminar presentation.

Credit point associated with grade of either a written report or an oral presentation in the final seminar (both on a self-chosen related topic)