Abstract
An in vitro study was carried out to investigate the differences in rumen microbes and fiber degradation capacity between sheep and goats. Three local male sheep and three Inner Mongolia male cashmere goats (aged 1.5 to 2 years; weight 25.0 to 32.0 kg) were each fitted with a permanent rumen cannula used to provide rumen fluid. Cycloheximide was used to eliminate rumen anaerobic fungi. The results showed that the quantities of fungal zoospores in the culture fluid of the control group were significantly greater in the sheep than in the goats; however, bacteria and protozoa counts were significantly higher in goats than in sheep. The digestibility of straw dry matter did not differ significantly between the two species before elimination of fungi, but tended to be higher for sheep (55.4%) than for goats (53.3%). The results also indicated that bacteria counts increased significantly after elimination of anaerobic fungi; however, the digestibility of straw dry matter significantly decreased by 12.1% and 8.6% for sheep and goats respectively. This indicated that the anaerobic fungi of the rumen played an important role in degradation of fiber.
Highlights
Comparative studies have shown differences between ruminant species in the utilization of roughage diets, most likely related to differences in their feeding behaviour and digestive processes (Dulphy et al, 1995)
It has been reported that fungi colonize fibrous plant fragments in the rumen, and the apparent magnitude of their population suggests that they have a role in fiber digestion as initial colonizers in lignocellulose breakdown (Bauchop, 1981)
Fazaeli et al, (2004) used five species of Pleurotus fungi to incubate soaked and pasteurised wheat straw. Their results indicated that fungal treatment significantly (p
Summary
Comparative studies have shown differences between ruminant species in the utilization of roughage diets, most likely related to differences in their feeding behaviour and digestive processes (Dulphy et al, 1995). These differences may represent distinct feeding strategies resulting from survival adaptations in their characteristic natural environment. Fazaeli et al, (2004) used five species of Pleurotus fungi (coded P-21, P-30, P-41, P-60 and P-90) to incubate soaked and pasteurised wheat straw Their results indicated that fungal treatment significantly (p
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