Professor Tyron Wickersham ANSC 303 15 February 2023 Stomach Comparison Between Cattle and Swine Species Cattle have a ruminant digestive system composed of four compartments the rumen the reticulum the omasum and the abomasum The abomasum is known as the true stomach Within the ruminant system nutrients will be stored digested and absorbed Rumen is the largest stomach compartment and is used for storage and as a fermentation vat Reticulum allows for heavy dense feed or metal objects to be eaten by cattle Omasum absorbs water Abomasum is lined with glands to release hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes Within the ruminant system nutrients will be stored digested and absorbed Having four compartments allow ruminant animals to digest grass or vegetation without completely chewing it first Instead they only partially chew the vegetation then microorganisms in the rumen section of the stomach break down the rest Rumen microbes ferment feed and produce volatile fatty acids which acts as the cow s main energy source Rumen microbes also produce B vitamins vitamin K and amino acids In comparison swine have a monogastric digestive system which is composed of a single chambered stomach Since this single compartment in swine can break down both plant and animal material swine have an omnivorous diet In a monogastric system food and proteins are broken down via enzymes whereas ruminants lack enzymes to digest proteins Swine do not regurgitate food during digestion like cattle do which limits the absorption of nutrients When comparing cattle to swine for similarities there are a few apparent commonalities Both species possess the same general organs that surround the stomach within the digestive system including the large intestine esophagus cecum ect In both system types these organs work with one another to digest food break down cellulose and toxicities present An additional similarity is that both species can directly utilize fat from feed Since cattle are forage consuming species having a ruminant digestive system confers a tremendous advantage in the utilization of low quality feedstuff Disadvantages for cattle include gas and heat produced by the fermentation process Fermentation of feed in the digestive tract produces excess heat which is less foravable to cattle who prefer cooler climates Having an increase in heat can reduce feed intake and production Gas is produced by carbon dioxide and methane which is a result of sugars and starches fermentation Excess gas can cause bloat which is a digestive disorder which can lead to death of cattle by asphyxiation