Dairynutrient 414 Ruminant Nutrition Dairynutrient 414 Ruminant Nutrition Glossary

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AbomasumThe fourth digestive chamber of the digestive system of most ruminants. The abomasum is located after the forestomachs (rumen, reticulum and omasum) and before the first segment of the small intestine (i.e., the duodenum); It is sometimes referred to as the "true" stomach because of its acid-secreting ability, which is found in most other mammalian species.

Accuracy

The degree with which a measurement matches the actual, true or target value (see also Precision).

Acidosis (rumen)

Condition characterized by a low rumen pH (below 6). The normal rumen function are impeded usually because too much concentrates were fed.

Ad Libitum

A latin word that means "to one's pleasure." In nutrition, ad libitum (abbreviated "ad Lib") refers to feeding management in which animals are fed without restriction. Cows are usually considered fed ad libitum when the refusals (orts) amount to approximately 5 to 10% of what has been offered the day before.

Allometric (equation)Allometric equations take the general form Y = aM^b, where Y is some biological variable, M is a measure of body size, and b is some scaling exponent. See West et al. (2012) for more details.

AllometryThe growth of body parts at different rates, resulting in a change of body proportions.

AMINO ACID

One of the 20 building block units of protein. Amino acids contain both an amino group (NH₂) and an acid or carboxyl group (COOH).

AMMONIA (NH3)

A pungent gas. Ammonia is extensively used to manufacture fertilizers and nitrogen containing compounds. Also, ammonia is the end-product of protein degradation by ruminal bacteria.