VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

KETOSIS (ACETONEMIA) IN WILD RUMINANTS

• In ruminants whether it is domestic or wild (giraffe, deer, antelope, wild goat, wild sheep and wild bovid), the dietary carbohydrates are fermented in the rumen to short chain fatty acids (acetate in majority amount, propionate in moderate amount and butyrate in lesser amount). 
• Hence, the glucose needs in these animal species are largely met by gluconeogenesis and it is to be understood that propionate and aminoacids are the major precursors for gluconeogenesis.