User:Vincentcolombo8/Rumen

Postnatal Development:

At birth, the rumen organ, rumen epithelium, and rumen microbiota are not fully developed. Developing the rumen after birth is a critical aspect of the overall development of ruminants. This early, sensitive period of rumen development, will have life-lasting effects on the overall health and productivity of the animal. Generally, the most receptive time for rumen development is between the postnatal and weaning period. Over this period, rumen organ and epithelium growth, along with the establishment of rumen microbiota, will prove to be essential to rumen development.

Papillae, or small, round projections protruding out of the tissue lining, growth in rumen epithelium is essential for rumen functionality. Papillae increase the surface area inside of the rumen. Therefore, papillae allow for an considerable increase in nutrient absorption inside of the rumen. Distinguishing a developed from an undeveloped rumen is simplified by observing the carpeting of tissue surrounding the interior of the rumen. An undeveloped rumen maintains a smooth, papillae-lacking outer surface. A developed rumen possess thick, papillae-full walls.

Due to ruminants being born with a sterile gastrointestinal tract, it is crucial that the developing rumen be exposed to an array of microflora at an early stage. This is why a specific diet in which microflora that promote an anaerobic environment in the rumen is favored. Furthermore, feeds must be tailored to the needs of the specific ruminants. Developing ruminants who have been on a strict liquid feed diet will possess different microflora when compared to a developing ruminant with combination of a dry and liquid feed diet. This is due to nutrients ingested by the animal not entering into the rumen stomach compartment, as it is bypassed by the reflexive closure of the esophageal groove.

An extensive rumen microbiota is also necessary for the production of butyrate, which is produced by multiple fermentation processes executed by anaerobic bacteria. Butyrate is an essential fatty acid necessary for rumen epithelium growth, capillary development, and papillae formation.