Influence of Transgenic Corn on the In vitro Rumen Microbial Fermentation

Abstract

In this study, the comparative effects of transgenic corn (Mon 810 and Event 176) and isogenic corn (DK729) were investigated for their influence on in vitro rumen fermentation. This study consisted of three treatments with 0.25 g rice straw. 0.25 g of corn (Mon810/Eventl76/DK 729) mixed with 30 ml rumen fluid-basal medium in a serum bottle. They were prepared in oxygen free conditions and incubated at 39°C in a shaking incubator. The influence of transgenic corn on the number of bacterial population, F. succinogenes (cellulolytic) and S. bovis (amylolytic), was quantified using RT-PCR. Fermentative parameters were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h and substrate digestibility was measured at 12 and 24 h. No significant differences were observed in digestibility of dry matter, NDF, ADF at 12 and 24 h for both transgenic and isogenic form of corns (p>0.05) as well as in fermentative parameters. Fluid pH remained unaffected by hybrid trait and decreased with VFA accumulation as incubation time progressed. No influence of corn trait itself was seen on concentration of total VFA, acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) in total gas production, composition of gas (methane and hydrogen) at all times of sampling, as well as in NH 3 -N production. Bacterial quantification using RT-PCR showed that the population number was not affected by transgenic corn. From this study it is concluded that transgenic corn (Mon810 and Event 176) had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation and digestibility compared to isogenic corn. However, regular monitoring of these transgenic feeds is needed by present day researchers to enable consumers with the option to select their preferred food source for animal or human consumption.