Nutrition
The nutrition program in the Department of Animal Science deals with a wide array of topics, ranging from very basic molecular nutrition approaches to studies with direct practical applications in the target species.
Students have the opportunity to work with a variety of animal species, including cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, mice, companion animals and exotic animals.
Students can select to major in Animal Science and focus their coursework and research project in the nutrition area. Alternatively, students can choose to pursue a major in Animal Science with a co-major in Nutrition. In this case, both the major and co-major programs will be designated on the student’s graduate transcript.
Faculty Research Interests in Nutrition
Microbial physiology and rumen function
Nutrition and digestive physiology including (1) protein and amino acid nutrition of swine and other monogastric animals, (2) Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation and (3) Applied monogastric nutrition
Applied horse and ruminant (especially beef cattle) nutrition
Ontogeny and regulation of lipid digestion and metabolism; neonatal nutritional biochemistry; medium-chain triglyceride metabolism; carnitine metabolism; intestinal growth and metabolism in normal and pathophysiological states – role of milkborne growth factors.
Utilization of grazed and harvested forages by beef cattle as influenced by nutrient supplementation. Determining the feeding value of locally available by-products for beef cattle. Nutrient management in forage production systems utilizing animal wastes as fertilizer sources.
Equine nutrition and exercise physiology: glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and regulation of glycogen re-synthesis after strenuous exercise
Micro-nutrient requirements of horses
Energy, protein, and mineral nutrition of swine. Environmental nutrition. Applied swine nutrition