ANU-30806 Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures24
Practical intensively supervised72
Tutorial3
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)prof. dr. ir. WJJ Gerrits
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. ir. WJJ Gerrits
dr. LH de Jonge
dr. ir. J Dijkstra
dr. ir. WF Pellikaan
Examiner(s)prof. dr. ir. WJJ Gerrits

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ANU-20306 Principles of Animal Nutrition (BSc).

Continuation courses:

ANU-30306 Nutrient Dynamics, ANU-31306 Feed Technology.

Contents:

Animal Nutrition and Physiology consists of two parts: Lectures digestive physiology and intermediary metabolism (3 credits) and Practicals Nutritional Physiology (3 credits). Digestive physiology and intermediary metabolism will be presented as lectures covering general principles of anatomy and function of the digestive tract in various species, metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, fatty acids, proteins and amino acids. In addition, lectures are given about the digestive systems of ruminants, poultry and companion animals. The practicals nutritional physiology will consist of three modules, each about 0.9 credits. (1) Practical Rumen Fermentation. This practical focuses on measurement of rumen fermentation and passage processes. It includes 3 experiments; (i) an in sacco incubation experiment using rumen fistulated dairy cows; (ii) an in vivo experiment determining passage rate of fluid out of the rumen of a rumen fistulated dairy cow; (iii) an in vitro digestibility experiment using straw, maize silage and concentrates as substrates. Results of the experiments will be integrated and interpreted by using mathematical modelling. (2) Practical Energy Metabolism. This practical focuses on measurement of carbohydrate and fat metabolism in young pigs using indirect calorimetry. Students will collect data from 10 piglets, housed in two climate controlled respiration chambers, to calculate heat production, protein and fat deposition rates. Faecal and urine samples will be analysed by the students in the Practical Nutrient Analyses. Results of this experiment will be integrated and interpreted by using mathematical modelling. (3) Practical Nutrient Analyses. During these practicals, students will get experience in laboratory measurement of dry matter, ash, nitrogen, crude fat, starch and cell wall analyses.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and function of digestive systems in farm and companion animal species sufficient to understand the digestion process of macronutrients;
- understand the intermediary metabolism of macronutrients, i.e. carbohydrates, fats and proteins;
- have basic skills in the laboratory analysis of macronutrients in feedstuffs and animal (waste) products and understand the principles of these analyses;
- understand common techniques to measure digestion, fermentation, nutrient passage through the intestinal tract and energy and protein metabolism;
- use mathematical modelling techniques to quantify nutrient fluxes, providing insight into the physiology of nutrient digestion, absorption and utilization.

Activities:

See contents.

Examination:

The course will be graded as follows:
- digestive physiology and intermediairy metabolism (3 credits): 50%: multiple choice exam;
- practical's (3 credits): 50% of which an exam with open questions (2/3) and judgement of active participation and motivation (1/3).
For every part of the examination, a minimal grade of 5.0 is required.

Literature:

Tutorial, containing lecture handouts and manuals for practical's.
D.A. Bender. (2008). Introduction tot nutrition and metabolism. 4th ed. Boca Raton, 416 p. ISBN 1-4200-4312-9.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MASAnimal SciencesMScB: Animal Nutrition4WD