Dairynutrient 414 Ruminant Nutrition Dairynutrient 414 Ruminant Nutrition Glossary

Desire for food that can be quantify by measuring dry matter intake.

A measure of protein quality. The percentage of protein in a feed which is not lost in the urine or the feces of the animal. Biological value is a reflection of the balance of amino acids available to the animal after digestion and absorption.

A bull used for natural mating after mutiple artificial insemination attempts have failed to establish pregnancy.

A measure of the amount of protein in a feed determined as the amount of nitrogen multiplied by 6.25. The factor 6.25 is the average grams of protein that contains 1 gram of nitrogen. The word "crude" refers to the fact that not all nitrogen in most feed is exclusively in the form of protein. Because most feeds contain non-protein nitrogen (NPN), crude protein generally overestimates the actual protein content of a feed.

The nutritive tissue of a plant seed, surrounding and absorbed by the embryo.

Method used to select cows which are eligible for hormonal treatment (such as Ovsynch). For example, the enrollment plan may be defined by the voluntary waiting period or a negative pregnancy check.

Membranous tissue, usually in a single layer, composed of closely arranged cells separated by very little intercellular substance. The epithelium forms the lining of the respiratory, intestinal, and urinary tracts and the outer surface of the body.

An animal that tests as positive but who is actually negative. The percent of false positive for a test can be calculated as 100 – SPECIFICITY.

A period of 9 to 24 hours preceding the ovulation during which cows are receptive to bulls and exhibit a typical behavior of mounting other cows or standing when mounted by other cows (or a bull).

An enzyme that breaks down fat.

Any of the numerous fat or fat-like materials that are generally insoluble in water, but soluble in common organic solvents. Nutritionally, lipids contain about 2.25 times more energy then carbohydrates.

Protein coated packages that transport fats in the bloodstream

Any compound that helps to prevent the accumulation of abnormal or excessive amounts of fat in the liver, control blood sugar levels, and enhance fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

In ruminant nutrion, metabolizable protein, often abbreviated MP, is the amount of digestible protein that reach the small intestine, which is the source of amino acids absorbed into the blood. The three main sources of MP include rumen undegraded protein (the dietary protein fraction that has not been degraded in the rumen), the microbial (bacterial) protein synthesized in the rumen from the fermentation process, and the endogenous protein (intestinal digestive enzymes and sloughed cells from the gastro-intestinal tract). The latter source is minimal.

A cow that has given birth more than once.

Nitrogen that comes from a source other than protein but may be used by a ruminant in the building of protein. NPN sources include compounds such as urea and anhydrous ammonia, which are used in feed formulations for ruminant only.

The taste and flavor property of a feedstuffs that make them more or less acceptable to be eaten.

An irregularly shaped gland that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum and produces insulin that is released into the blood.

1. Small projections on the inner surface of the rumen and the reticulum wall that increase the surface area of absorption of volatile fatty acids and other end-products of bacterial fermentation.

Protuberances at the surface of the tongue that detect the taste of a feed.

The act of giving birth (Syn Calving).

A digestive enzyme found in the gastric juice that breaks down proteins into peptides.

1. At least 2 but not more that 100 amino acids linked together by a peptic bound. 2. Product of pepsin digestion of proteins.

A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Values range from 0 (most acid) to 14 (most basic), with neutrality at pH 7.

Organic substance in which the carbon atoms are linked together in a ring structure (also called aromatic structure). Lignin is an example of phenolic compound.

The process by which the chlorophyll of plants converts carbon dioxide and water into simple sugars with the simultaneous release of oxygen.

An organ that develops during pregnancy in female mammals. It lines the uterus and partially envelopes the fetus, to which it is attached by the umbilical cord. Following birth, the placenta, then called the after birth, is normally expelled. The retention of the placenta usually leads to bacterial infection of the uterus called metritis.

The structure that contains the seeds of leguminous plants. It usually splits open after drying of the plant.

To free from coarseness; to refine.

Having more than one digestive cavity; Having a stomach divided into different chambers (e.g., ruminants).

The set of individuals, items, or data from which a statistical sample is taken. In statistical terms, a population is defined as a larger set from which samples are obtained.

1. The degree with which a measurement is reproducible, that is, yielding similar results when repeated (see also Accuracy).
2. the number of significant digits to which a value has been reliably measured.

Having one or several fetus growing inside the uterus.

1. A young cow that is pregnant for the first time. 2. A cow that has given birth once.

Digestive enzyme that breakdown proteins into peptides.

A chain or multiple chains of amino acids (more than 100). Proteins are composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen nitrogen (16% on average,found in the form of amino acids) and often sulfur. Proteins have important functions in the body. They are present in all plants and animals and they are essential in the ration of animals. See also Crude Protein.

Most primitive form of life in the animal kingdom composed of only one microscopic cell.

The passage connecting the stomach (abomasum) to the duodenum.

The probability that a test is negative, given that the animal does not have the disease (see also sensitivity).

A ring-like muscle that maintains constriction of a bodily passage or orifice and opens upon relaxation.

To grow or to develop quickly (syn to germinate).

Digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas and responsible for the break down of peptide bonds of proteins. Some plants contain a trypsin inhibitor that prevent trypsin from functioning properly.

Particles that carry cholesterol and fat throughout the bloodstream. These particles are released from the liver into the bloodstream. They are similar to chylomicrons which originate from the gut because they both carry cholesterol and triglycerides which are gradually released in the bloodstream to be absorbed by body cells along the way. In the process of losing triglycerides, the VLDLs grow smaller and turn into LDLs (Low Density Lipoprotein) which have lost all their triglycerides.

The number of days between calving and first attempt to breed a cow. A typical voluntary waiting period is 45 days. However, it may varies from less than 40 to 80 days depending on farmer’s preference and reproductive protocol in place on the farm.