Reticulo-rumen

It is highly probable that in the reticulo-rumen many of the mineral deficiencies and/or toxicities noted in vitro would not occur because of the recycling of minerals and the detoxification ability of the microflora. However, from evidence available, some minerals can have a pronounced effect on lignocellulose breakdown and are in some instances the first limiting factor in rate and/or extent of lignocellulose degradation. 

Bessa, R. J. B., Santos-Silva, J., Ribeiro, J. M. R., Portugal, A. V. (2000). Reticulo-rumen biohydrogenation and the enrichment of ruminant edible products with linoleic acid conjugated isomers. Livestock Production Science, 63, 201-211. 

In ruminants, the large stomach compartment known as the reticulo-rumen allows regurgitation of food for mechanical breakdown by rumination and acts as a continuous fermentation system for anaerobic bacteria, protozoa and fungi. 

In ruminants, the principal cause of bloat (a sometimes fatal condition of high rumen pressure) appears to be the formation of a stable foam in the reticulo-rumen (Reid et al., 1974). The foaming, which causes pressure retention, appears to be due to the soluble plant proteins in the rumen (Clark and Reid, 1974) and is prevented by protein precipitation with tannins (Jones et al., 1973). The production of gas by microbial fermentation is also inhibited. 

Benchaar C, McAllister TA, Chouinard PY (2008) Digestion, ruminal fermentation, cihate protozoa populations, and milk production from dairy cows fed cinnamaldehyde, quebracho condensed tannin, or Yucca schigadera saponin extracts. J Dairy Sd 91 4765-4777 Bessa RJB, Santos-SUva J, Ribeiro JMR, Portugal AV (2000) Reticulo-rumen biohydrogenation and the enrichment of mminants products with Unoleic add conjugated isomers. Livest Prod Sci 63 201-211... 

To optimize milk protein production, requirements must be accurately determined and matched with dietary supply. Through microbial digestion in the reticulo-rumen, ruminants have a capacity to utilize forages that are indigestible in non-ruminants. Dietary proteins are degraded in the rumen and used in microbial protein synthesis, which modifies dietary supply of protein both quantitatively and qualitatively making predictions of the amount and profile of amino acids (AA) absorbed from the small intestine difficult. 

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