Understanding the regulation of absorptive metabolism by the ruminal epithelium

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The onset of lactation imposes a considerable metabolic challenge for dairy cattle. Scientists agree that increasing nutrients for these animals will improve lactation performance and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases. Although the breakdown of body tissues can temporarily provide nutrients, improving nutrient absorption across gut tissues is the only sustainable approach. In dairy cattle, supplying additional nutrients is more complex than for monogastric animals because food is first subjected to microbial fermentation in the rumen (i.e., the first part of their digestive tract). Fermentation of feed in the rumen yields short-chain fatty acids, which are extensively absorbed and metabolized by the epithelial lining of the rumen. Although most of the energy supplied to the ruminant is by absorption of short-chain fatty acids, little is known about how their absorption and metabolism is regulated.