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Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Monday, 1 August 2011
A cool website!
I found this super cool website today, and it has a summarised version of a cow's digestive system there, as well as loads of pictures and even a video!
MOOMOO DAIRIES
It's so cool! There's even some information about the cow's circulatory system! Please do check it out!☆
MOOMOO DAIRIES
It's so cool! There's even some information about the cow's circulatory system! Please do check it out!☆
Last two parts: the small & large intestines!
So well I was having a conversation with my good friend Owly again, and she told me quite a good lot about the small and large intestine of a cow!
The small intestine:
The small intestine:
The rest of digestion is performed in the small intestine and large intestine much as it is in humans and other mammals. Digesta that leaves the rumen and enters the lower digestive tract includes some microbes and undigested fiber, as well as protein and some sugars produced by the microbes. By-pass protein, fat, and carbohydrates also enter the lower digestive tract. Bypass protein, fat, and carbohydrates are nutrients that cannot be digested in the rumen but may be digested in the abomasum and small intestine.
Enzymes to digest proteins, sugars, and starch flow into the small intestine from the pancreas, while the gall bladder produces bile to help digest fats. The small intestine also produces some enzymes to aid in digestion, but its major function is absorption of digested nutrients. Except for the volatile fatty acids, most of the nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine including protein, starch, fats, minerals and vitamins.
The large intestine:
Water is primarily absorbed in the large intestine. Undigested feed, some excess water, and some metabolic wastes leave the large intestine as fecal material. The consistency of manure is an indicator of animal health and is dependent on water, fiber, and protein content of the food. For example, cows on lush spring forage will have profuse watery, greenish colored manure, whereas animals on a hay diet will have firm manure that is dark in color. Animals should produce manure that is indicative of the diet they are receiving. If not, it may indicate a digestive upset or disease. Light colored manure, manure tinged with blood, and watery manure (when on a dry diet) are not normal situations.
Wow! So that's how digestion for a cow ends! Much more interesting than yours, right, humans? ;D
The STOMACH!! - we have only one stomach kay!
And here's some information about the stomach of the cow in supreme detail!!
The four compartments of the cow's stomach are the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
The rumen:
The rumen is the largest compartment, and it contains billions of bacteria, protozoa, molds, and yeasts. These microorganisms live in a symbiotic manner with us, and they are the reason we can eat and digest large amounts of roughage. The rumen microorganisms are adaptable enough that cows can digest a large variety of feeds from grass, hay, and corn to brewer’s grains, corn stalks, silage, and even urea. (That may be gross to you humans, but hey, we're still eating it!)
The bacteria and protozoa do most of the digestion of food for us. There are 25 to 50 billion bacteria and 200 to 500 thousand protozoa in every milliliter of rumen fluid. The microorganisms digest the plant fiber and produce volatile fatty acids. These fatty acids are absorbed directly through the rumen wall and supply 60 to 80 % of the energy needed by the cow. In addition to energy, the microorganisms produce protein including essential amino acids from the protein and nitrogen we ingests. Because the microbes can use nitrogen to make protein, cows can eat urea and other sources of non-protein nitrogen that would kill non-ruminants. The microbes also make vitamins B and C.
When cows ruminate, or chew their cud, they are regurgitating a bolus of incompletely chewed feed. In order for the microbes to digest fiber rapidly and efficiently it must be in small pieces, so we re-chew our food several times. Cows also belch giving off carbon dioxide and methane. When cows “lose their cud” or stop ruminating, it is an indication that they have a digestive upset, and their rumen is not functioning properly.
The reticulum:
The reticulum, with its honeycomb-like lining, is a compartment of the stomach that is involved with rumination. It also acts as a trap for foreign objects taken in by the cow. It is not unusual to find rocks, nails, and pieces of wire and metal in our reticulum. (Not that we're particularly stupid to eat these; it's just that sometimes these things get mixed up with the grass) If wire or metal punctures the side of the reticulum, it can cause “hardware disease.” Hardware disease is actually an irritation or infection of the diaphragm, heart or lungs. It is hard to treat, but can be prevented by keeping metal trash out of pastures. Specially shaped magnets can be administered to cows to decrease the possibility that ingested metal will pierce the digestive tract. These magnets stay in the reticulum for the life of the animal. Fortunately, Mr. Farmer had inserted one of these magnets into my reticulum, so I wouldn't encounter an infection any time soon!
The omasum:
The omasum is also known as “the book” or many piles because of its many leaf-like folds. It functions as the gateway to the abomasum, filtering large particles back to the reticulorumen and allowing fine particles and fluid to be passed to the abomasum. Though the complete function of this compartment is unknown, it does aid in water resorption and recycling of buffers for the saliva. The omasum may also absorb some volatile fatty acids.
The abomasum:
The abomasum is also known as the “true stomach.” It functions much like the human stomach producing acid and some enzymes to start protein digestion. Animals that go off feed or have acidosis can develop a displaced abomasum or “twisted stomach.” The abomasum will actually float out of place and become torsioned stopping the flow of digesta. Surgery is the only cure for a displaced abomasum. Although displaced abomasum is more common in dairy cattle than beef cattle, producers should be aware of the possibility of this problem in cows that have had severe digestive upsets.
Well, anyway, it's grazing time already. I'll be right back with more information on the other parts of a cow's digestive system!
-MooMoo
The four compartments of the cow's stomach are the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
The rumen:
The rumen is the largest compartment, and it contains billions of bacteria, protozoa, molds, and yeasts. These microorganisms live in a symbiotic manner with us, and they are the reason we can eat and digest large amounts of roughage. The rumen microorganisms are adaptable enough that cows can digest a large variety of feeds from grass, hay, and corn to brewer’s grains, corn stalks, silage, and even urea. (That may be gross to you humans, but hey, we're still eating it!)
The bacteria and protozoa do most of the digestion of food for us. There are 25 to 50 billion bacteria and 200 to 500 thousand protozoa in every milliliter of rumen fluid. The microorganisms digest the plant fiber and produce volatile fatty acids. These fatty acids are absorbed directly through the rumen wall and supply 60 to 80 % of the energy needed by the cow. In addition to energy, the microorganisms produce protein including essential amino acids from the protein and nitrogen we ingests. Because the microbes can use nitrogen to make protein, cows can eat urea and other sources of non-protein nitrogen that would kill non-ruminants. The microbes also make vitamins B and C.
When cows ruminate, or chew their cud, they are regurgitating a bolus of incompletely chewed feed. In order for the microbes to digest fiber rapidly and efficiently it must be in small pieces, so we re-chew our food several times. Cows also belch giving off carbon dioxide and methane. When cows “lose their cud” or stop ruminating, it is an indication that they have a digestive upset, and their rumen is not functioning properly.
Bloat is another condition that occurs when cows can’t eructate. It is caused by a rapid change in food or overeating grain (gaseous bloat) or grazing pure stands of clover or alfalfa (frothy bloat). Gaseous bloat is a result of improper digestion or fermentation of grain. It is treated by passing a tube into the rumen or using a trocar and cannula to make an external opening in the rumen to release the gas pressure. The procedure may have to be repeated. Frothy bloat is a result of surfactants in legumes causing gas to be trapped in a bubbly foam. Large amounts of mineral oil must be forced into the rumen via a tube to break up the bubbles as a treatment for frothy bloat. Bloat must be treated quickly as the increased rumen size and pressure interferes with normal breathing. The incidence of bloat in cows grazing legumes can be reduced by maintaining at least 50% of the stand as grass. Also, cows should not be turned out onto a pasture with a high percentage of legumes when cows are hungry or the pasture is wet. Once the cows are adapted to legume/grass pastures, they can graze it even when wet. A final option is to use “bloat guard” blocks which contain poloxolene.
Although rumen microbes can digest a great variety of different feeds, they are very sensitive to drastic changes in feeds. Some groups of microbes are better at digesting fiber (forages), whereas others are better at digesting starch (grains). Changing rapidly from a forage-based diet to a grain-based diet causes millions of fiber-digesting microbes to die-off as they cannot digest the starch, and there are too few starch-digesting microbes to use the grain so the grain sours in the rumen. As a result, rumen pH decreases, the rumen stops working, and the animal becomes ill. In severe cases, the cow can develop acidosis and founder or die.
The reticulum:
The reticulum, with its honeycomb-like lining, is a compartment of the stomach that is involved with rumination. It also acts as a trap for foreign objects taken in by the cow. It is not unusual to find rocks, nails, and pieces of wire and metal in our reticulum. (Not that we're particularly stupid to eat these; it's just that sometimes these things get mixed up with the grass) If wire or metal punctures the side of the reticulum, it can cause “hardware disease.” Hardware disease is actually an irritation or infection of the diaphragm, heart or lungs. It is hard to treat, but can be prevented by keeping metal trash out of pastures. Specially shaped magnets can be administered to cows to decrease the possibility that ingested metal will pierce the digestive tract. These magnets stay in the reticulum for the life of the animal. Fortunately, Mr. Farmer had inserted one of these magnets into my reticulum, so I wouldn't encounter an infection any time soon!
The omasum:
The omasum is also known as “the book” or many piles because of its many leaf-like folds. It functions as the gateway to the abomasum, filtering large particles back to the reticulorumen and allowing fine particles and fluid to be passed to the abomasum. Though the complete function of this compartment is unknown, it does aid in water resorption and recycling of buffers for the saliva. The omasum may also absorb some volatile fatty acids.
The abomasum:
The abomasum is also known as the “true stomach.” It functions much like the human stomach producing acid and some enzymes to start protein digestion. Animals that go off feed or have acidosis can develop a displaced abomasum or “twisted stomach.” The abomasum will actually float out of place and become torsioned stopping the flow of digesta. Surgery is the only cure for a displaced abomasum. Although displaced abomasum is more common in dairy cattle than beef cattle, producers should be aware of the possibility of this problem in cows that have had severe digestive upsets.
Well, anyway, it's grazing time already. I'll be right back with more information on the other parts of a cow's digestive system!
-MooMoo
Saturday, 30 July 2011
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT US - THE COWS
So I was thinking this morning that why not I share some common misconceptions with you all, and clear up the air.
1. We cows do not have four stomachs. We only have ONE.
2. During bull fighting cows are not aggravated by the colour red. Instead it is because of the waving of the cloth. It is commonly thought that male cows called bulls are aggravated by the colour red. However, this is not true, as cows are red-green colour blind. This means that cows cannot differentiate between the different colours. This misconception came about as trainers for bull fighting are usually seen using a red cloth to spur the cow.
-MooMoo
1. We cows do not have four stomachs. We only have ONE.
2. During bull fighting cows are not aggravated by the colour red. Instead it is because of the waving of the cloth. It is commonly thought that male cows called bulls are aggravated by the colour red. However, this is not true, as cows are red-green colour blind. This means that cows cannot differentiate between the different colours. This misconception came about as trainers for bull fighting are usually seen using a red cloth to spur the cow.
-MooMoo
Friday, 29 July 2011
The MOUTH & TEETH of a cow
I happened to visit the dentist today and he told me some very interesting things: The cow's mouth & teeth and how it works!
About the mouth and teeth:
The mouths of cows are very different from most nonruminant animals. Cows have 32 teeth. They have 6 incisors and 2 canines in the front on the bottom. The canines are more like incisors that like sharp teeth that cats like cheetahs and lions have. We don't have incisors on top. Instead, we have dental pads. Cows have 6 premolars and 6 molars on both top and bottom jaws each, giving us a total of 24 molars. In addition, there is a large gap between the incisors and molars. This allows us to harvest and chew a large amount of fibrous food.
Because our teeth are primarily for grinding and not cutting or tearing, we use our tongues to grasp or gather grass and then pinch it off between their incisors and dental pad. Since we lack upper incisors, cows cannot bite off grass very well (this is actually quite annoying, but that's what makes us cows). The inside of the cheeks and palate are rough which helps us hold food in while we chew with a side to side motion. So you can't blame us for chewing slowly! Our teeth aren't as sharp as you humans!
Not only does the mouth help to make our food particles smaller, the mouth also aids in digestion by adding saliva to the food. Interestingly, cows produce 20-35 gallons of saliva a day! The saliva, containing sodium bicarbonate to keep the rumen at the proper pH for good microbial growth, helps moisten the feed. Much of the water contained in saliva is recycled by the cow for use as well. Talk about resourcefulness!
Wow, a cow's mouth alone is so interesting! I'm going to go and find out more about the cow's stomach then! Our super super awesomely cool stomach that has 4 parts! :D
-MooMoo
About the mouth and teeth:
The mouths of cows are very different from most nonruminant animals. Cows have 32 teeth. They have 6 incisors and 2 canines in the front on the bottom. The canines are more like incisors that like sharp teeth that cats like cheetahs and lions have. We don't have incisors on top. Instead, we have dental pads. Cows have 6 premolars and 6 molars on both top and bottom jaws each, giving us a total of 24 molars. In addition, there is a large gap between the incisors and molars. This allows us to harvest and chew a large amount of fibrous food.
Because our teeth are primarily for grinding and not cutting or tearing, we use our tongues to grasp or gather grass and then pinch it off between their incisors and dental pad. Since we lack upper incisors, cows cannot bite off grass very well (this is actually quite annoying, but that's what makes us cows). The inside of the cheeks and palate are rough which helps us hold food in while we chew with a side to side motion. So you can't blame us for chewing slowly! Our teeth aren't as sharp as you humans!
Not only does the mouth help to make our food particles smaller, the mouth also aids in digestion by adding saliva to the food. Interestingly, cows produce 20-35 gallons of saliva a day! The saliva, containing sodium bicarbonate to keep the rumen at the proper pH for good microbial growth, helps moisten the feed. Much of the water contained in saliva is recycled by the cow for use as well. Talk about resourcefulness!
Wow, a cow's mouth alone is so interesting! I'm going to go and find out more about the cow's stomach then! Our super super awesomely cool stomach that has 4 parts! :D
-MooMoo
Thursday, 28 July 2011
More Information on the Passage of the Food that I Eat
As promised, I found out more information about myself and so I am posting them.
After talking with my friend the wise owl, I found out that I only have 1 stomach but it is separated into four different components - the rumen, reticulum, omasum and the abomasum. Also the food that I eat is sent a few times to the mouth for re-chewing and then the cud is being swallowed again.
Briefly: The Passage of The Food That I Eat
MOUTH
Food is consumed through the mouth and mixed thoroughly with the saliva. Then the food passes through the oesophagus into the stomach
STOMACH ( RUMEN)
In the rumen, the food is fermented, which includes the breaking down of cellulose, carbohydrates and fibre.
STOMACH (RETICULUM)
Foreign objects from the food that I eat is deposited here. Thus the reticulum is also known as the 'hardware stomach'.
STOMACH (OMASUM)
The main function of the omasum is to absorb water and nutrients. the skin-lining of the omasum is layered, thus it allows more surface area to absorb moisture
STOMACH (ABOMASUM)
This part of my stomach functions just like a human stomach, thus it is also known as the 'true stomach'. Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are released, to produce peptides.
SMALL INTESTINE
This is where most of the digestion is completed. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and amino acids being absorbed here.
LARGE INTESTINE
In this part of my stomach, water is reabsorbed again and undigested food is excreted as fecal dropping.
This is what I learnt from the owl today. Maybe now you will start to think that cow's digestive system is similar to the humans' just that we have four different parts in our stomach.
-MooMoo
PS: Hmm... Maybe I'll go research more and put up even more things about my digestive system!
After talking with my friend the wise owl, I found out that I only have 1 stomach but it is separated into four different components - the rumen, reticulum, omasum and the abomasum. Also the food that I eat is sent a few times to the mouth for re-chewing and then the cud is being swallowed again.
Briefly: The Passage of The Food That I Eat
MOUTH
Food is consumed through the mouth and mixed thoroughly with the saliva. Then the food passes through the oesophagus into the stomach
STOMACH ( RUMEN)
In the rumen, the food is fermented, which includes the breaking down of cellulose, carbohydrates and fibre.
STOMACH (RETICULUM)
Foreign objects from the food that I eat is deposited here. Thus the reticulum is also known as the 'hardware stomach'.
STOMACH (OMASUM)
The main function of the omasum is to absorb water and nutrients. the skin-lining of the omasum is layered, thus it allows more surface area to absorb moisture
STOMACH (ABOMASUM)
This part of my stomach functions just like a human stomach, thus it is also known as the 'true stomach'. Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes are released, to produce peptides.
SMALL INTESTINE
This is where most of the digestion is completed. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and amino acids being absorbed here.
LARGE INTESTINE
In this part of my stomach, water is reabsorbed again and undigested food is excreted as fecal dropping.
This is what I learnt from the owl today. Maybe now you will start to think that cow's digestive system is similar to the humans' just that we have four different parts in our stomach.
-MooMoo
PS: Hmm... Maybe I'll go research more and put up even more things about my digestive system!
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