The uniqueness and superiority of energy utilization in yaks compared with cattle in the highlands: A review

Xiaojing Liu; Jian Gao; Suozhu Liu; Yanfen Cheng; Lizhuang Hao; Shujie Liu; Weiyun Zhu

Animal Nutrition (Mar 2023)

The uniqueness and superiority of energy utilization in yaks compared with cattle in the highlands: A review

Xiaojing Liu,
Jian Gao,
Suozhu Liu,
Yanfen Cheng,
Lizhuang Hao,
Shujie Liu,
Weiyun Zhu

Affiliations

Xiaojing Liu: Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Jian Gao: Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Suozhu Liu: College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi 860000, China
Yanfen Cheng: Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Corresponding authors.
Lizhuang Hao: Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; Corresponding authors.
Shujie Liu: Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
Weiyun Zhu: Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12
pp. 138 – 144

Abstract

Read online

Yaks living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau for a long time have evolved a series of mechanisms to adapt to the unique geographical environment and climate characteristics of the plateau. Compared with other ruminants, yaks have higher energy utilization and metabolic efficiency. This paper presents possible mechanisms responsible for the efficient energy utilization, absorption and metabolism resulting from the unique evolutionary process of yaks. It is hoped that the information discussed in this review will give a better insight into the uniqueness and superiority of yaks in regards to energy metabolism and utilization compared with cattle and open new avenues for the targeted regulation of energy utilization pathways of other ruminants.

Published in Animal Nutrition

ISSN: 2405-6545 (Print)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/animal-nutrition/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords