In this article we will talk about the metabolism of volatile fatty acids (VFA) or short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).
RUMINAL DIGESTION
In the rumen environment or ecosystem, energy and protein are generated.
More than 60% of the energy that the animal uses for maintenance and production (growth, lactation, gestation, wool, etc.) comes from volatile fatty acids (VFA), and between 60 and 80% of the protein necessary for growth and production comes from the microbial population of the reticulum-rumen.
Therefore, the degradation and absorption of different feed components at the rumen level will determine future animal production (milk, meat, or wool).
Thus, the rumen represents a key segment of the digestive tract when it comes to ensuring optimal productive performance as well as to withstand extreme conditions.
Hence, if feed digestion within the rumen is enhanced, animal production will substantially improve and with it, the productivity of livestock systems as a whole.
FIBROUS CARBOHYDRATES
All foods (fodder or concentrates) are made up of different fractions: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and water. From these different food fractions, carbohydrates represent the most important energy source and the main precursors for the fat and sugar (lactose)found in milk.
Rumen microorganisms enable the host to obtain energy from fibrous carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose):
Fiber in general, tends to be bulky and is retained in the rumen where it ferments slowly. Serving as a support for rumen microorganisms (MOOs).
There are different fiber qualities depending on the type and place of growth of the plant as well as its age.
As the plant matures, lignin content in fiber increases while the degree of ruminal fermentation of both cellulose and hemicellulose is reduced.
Lignification in plants does not only occur due to aging as it also depends on climate. For example, under increased heat conditions lignification also increases. The presence of fiber in long particles is necessary to stimulate rumination.
Rumination increases fiber separation and fermentation, stimulates rumen contractions, and increases the flow of saliva into the rumen.
Saliva contains bicarbonate and phosphates which contribute to maintaining the acidity (pH) of rumen content and pH values close to neutrality.
NON-FIBROUS CARBOHYDRATES
Non-fibrous carbohydrates (starches and sugars) ferment rapidly and in a large percentage within the rumen.
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