Rumen bypass protein, also called rumen escape or undegradable protein, refers to the portion of protein in animal feed that is not broken down or digested in the rumen by microbes. Rumen bypass or "protected" fats are dry fats processed to be easily handled and mixed into animal feeds that are insoluble at rumen body temperature and thus bypass digestion in the rumen. Protected nutrient technology protects feed nutrients like protein and fat from degradation in the rumen so they can bypass to the lower gastrointestinal tract and provide amino acids and other nutrients to animals.