Which Compounds Serve as Major Sources of Energy for Ruminant

Question

Which compounds serve as major sources of energy for ruminant animals?
A) acetic acid and glucose
B) acetic, butyric, and propionic acids
C) dimethylsulfoniopropionate, gluconate, and protocatechuate
D) glucose and sucrose

Accepted Answer

Ruminant animals rely heavily on the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose in plant cell walls in the rumen by microorganisms. The end products of this fermentation are volatile fatty acids, primarily acetic, butyric, and propionic acids. These fatty acids serve as the major sources of energy for the ruminant animal.