The Secret Ingredient in Ruminant Spit

The video explains how humans and ruminants like cows and sheep handle nitrogen and urea. Humans convert ammonia into urea to prevent toxicity, which is then excreted. Ruminants, however, recycle urea through their saliva and gut microbes, turning it into useful nutrients. This process, called urea recycling, allows them to efficiently use nitrogen, even when their diet lacks it. Researchers are studying this system to reduce nitrogen waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The adaptation highlights the efficiency of ruminants in nutrient utilization.

What role does urea play in the human body after protein digestion?

What are the potential dangers of ammonia buildup in the body?

How do ruminants like sheep and cows recycle urea?

Explain the protein regeneration cycle or urea recycling in ruminants.

What adaptations do ruminants have that allow them to utilize nitrogen more efficiently than humans?