Credit hours
In-class work per week |
Practice per week |
Credits |
Duration |
Total |
4 |
0 |
8 |
15 weeks |
120 hours |
Instructor
Diogo Fleury Azevedo Costa
Flavio Augusto Portela Santos
Objective
The objective of this course is to provide a detailed and in-depth discussion on the metabolism of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) in ruminants, covering the ruminal fermentation and intestinal digestion of these compounds, as well as the mechanisms of absorption and post-absorptive metabolism of their end-products, such as volatile fatty acids, lactate, and glucose. The course will also address the effects of NFC availability and fermentation rate on rumen microbiota, energy balance, and nutrient utilization efficiency, in addition to the metabolic and environmental implications associated with the improper management of rapidly fermentable carbohydrate diets, such as ruminal acidosis and greenhouse gas emissions.
Content
• Overview of carbohydrate metabolism in ruminants
• Classification and physical-chemical characteristics of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC)
• Sources of NFC in ruminant diets and effects of grain processing
• Ruminal fermentation of NFC and production of volatile fatty acids
• Interactions among NFC, fibrous carbohydrates, and nitrogen compounds in ruminal fermentation
• Post-absorptive metabolism
• Metabolic disorders associated with NFC supply (ruminal acidosis, laminitis)
• Energy models (NRC, BR-Corte, CSIRO) applied to carbohydrates
• Diet formulation based on energy and protein balance
• Analytical techniques and tools for carbohydrate evaluation (sugars, starch, pectin)
Bibliography
Owens, F. N., & Zinn, R. A. (1986). Limits to starch digestion in the ruminant small intestine. Journal of Animal Science, 63(5), 1634–1648.
Owens, F. N., & Zinn, R. A. (1997). The effect of grain source and grain processing on performance of feedlot cattle: A review. Journal of Animal Science, 75(3), 868–877.