Establishment of Rumen Ciliate Protozoa in Cow and Water Buffalo (Bos bubalus L.) Calves Under Late and Early Weaning Systems

Abstract

Establishment of ciliate protozoa in the rumens of cow and buffalo calves kept under early and late weaning systems was studied. The results showed that the rumens of the buffalo calves harbored active populations of ciliate protozoa at earlier ages than those of cow calves, probably indicating earlier rumen development in buffalo calves. Early weaning promoted faster establishment of ciliate protozoa than late weaning, especially in cow calves. The effect was not so clear in buffalo calves. Entodinium spp. were first to appear in the rumen. Eudiplodinium was established as soon as Isotricha in the early-weaned cow calves, while large oligotrichs appeared at an earlier date in buffaloes.Cross-inoculations among buffaloes, cows, and sheep showed that Ophryoscolex and Polyplastron from sheep failed to survive in adult or young cows and buffaloes, thus demonstrating host specificity. Epidinium was not observed in the rumen contents of sheep, cows, or buffaloes maintained under Egyptian conditions.