Course Description
The rumen microbial ecosystem that will examine the biochemistry, ecology, nutrition, physiology, and taxonomy of rumen microorganisms. The symbiotic relationship between rumen microorganisms and the nutrition of the ruminant animal. Manipulation of rumen fermentation to maximize host-animal production.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to write a paper plus give an oral presentation
Athena Title
MICRO ECOL RUMEN
Prerequisite
BCMB 4020/6020 or MIBO 4090/6090 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To provide a detailed understanding of the rumen microbial ecosystem by analyzing the relationship between various rumen microorganisms and the ruminant animal. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the value of the microorganisms in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract and how they benefit and harm the host animal. This information can be applied to ruminant animals as well as nonruminant animals and humans. There will be 3 one hour exams = 100 points each, 1 oral presentation plus written research paper = 50 points, 1 final exam = 200 points for total points = 550 points.
Topical Outline
1. Brief review of rumen environmental characteristics 2. Brief review of anaerobic technique 3. Characteristics of approximately 20 to 30 ruminal bacterial species - i.e., growth requirements, fermentation products - cellulolytic, amylolytic, pectin, lactate, glycerol, methanol, and hydrogen using ruminal bacteria 4. Crossfeeding of nutrients among ruminal bacteria - i.e., lactate production and utilization in the rumen 5. Morphology and taxonomy of ruminal protozoa 6. Morphology and taxonomy of ruminal fungi 7. Sugar transport - mechanisms and regulation 8. Review fermentation pathways 9. End product formation by ruminal bacteria 10. Anaerobic electron transport 11. Protein utilization by ruminal bacteria - limitation of amino acid fermentation - peptide transport by ruminal bacteria 12. Ammonia utilization 13. Batch vs continuous culture - growth characteristics of specific ruminal bacteria 14. Ruminal bacterial growth yields 15. Maintenance energy - ME estimates for ruminal bacteria 16. Energy spilling reactions (uncoupled growth) - heat production 17. Influence of pH and VFA on yield - effect of pH and dilution rate on ruminal bacterial growth 18. Bacterial death - starvation of ruminal bacteria - effect of pH on ruminal bacterial growth 19. Metabolic regulation - review lac operon, PTS repression - metabolic regulation in ruminal bacteria 20. Rumen toxicities - microbiology of bloat, acidosis, skatole and bovine emphysema, nitrate poisoning, oxalic acid poisoning, sulfide toxicity, mimosine and leucaena poisoning, grass tetany 21. Rumen additives - chlorinated hydrocarbons, ionophores, thiopeptin, organic acids 22. Genetics of ruminal bacteria