Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism

This book aims to bring together the quantitative approaches concerned with elucidating mechanisms used in the study of ruminant digestion, metabolism and related areas from different contributing practitioners, experts and scientists. A great deal of research had been carried out on the digestive system of ruminants and also led to studies on the peculiarities of metabolism that cope with unusual products of microbial digestion. Quantitative approaches to ruminant physiology and special features of the ruminant digestive system together with topics on the rate of rumen digestion; intestinal transit; digesta flow; digestibility measurement; particle dynamics; rumen microorganisms and functions; gas production; glucose and fatty acid metabolism; protein and fat metabolism; metabolic regulation; mineral metabolism; protein and energy metabolism interactions; growth; lactation; mathematical modelling; feed processing; feed evaluation; calorimetry; and relationship between pasture characteristics and animal performance are discussed. This book will be of significant interest to researchers, animal scientists, nutritionists, veterinarians, animal breeders and students.