Rumen Contents Of Cattle Research Articles

Potential for improving fiber digestion in the rumen of cattle (Bos taurus) through microbial inoculation from bison (Bison bison): In situ fiber degradation1

The objective of this experiment was to determine if partial replacement of cattle rumen contents with those from bison would increase in situ ruminal fiber degradation of various forages. The second objective was to examine individual variation among cattle in their ability to degrade forage and their responses to inoculation. In situ degradation of barley straw, canola straw, alfalfa hay, and timothy hay was measured in 16 ruminally cannulated heifers fed a barley straw-based diet before and after inoculation with combined rumen contents from 32 bison (performed twice, 14 d apart). Each feed was incubated in the rumen of each heifer for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 120 h, and the degradation parameters were determined as washout fraction (), potentially degradable fraction (), rate of digestion of fraction (), and total potentially degradable fraction (). The of barley straw decreased ( = 0.04) after inoculation, whereas fraction of NDF increased ( = 0.03) and fraction of NDF and ADF decreased ( ≤ 0.02) by inoculation. In contrast, of alfalfa hay NDF and ADF decreased ( = 0.002) after inoculation, but fraction of NDF and ADF ( ≤ 0.02) increased. There were no major effects ( > 0.06) of inoculation on the fiber degradation of timothy hay or canola straw. The differential response between barley straw and alfalfa hay may have occurred because the cattle were previously adapted to a barley straw diet, whereas the bison were fed barley silage and oats. Some animals consistently ranked higher or lower for or across at least 3 of the 4 feeds incubated, but the rankings changed after inoculation. In conclusion, inoculation of cattle with bison rumen contents failed to improve degradation of fiber from barley straw, canola straw, or timothy hay in cattle well adapted to a barley straw diet, although there were small improvements in the extent of degradation of fiber from alfalfa hay. Cattle varied both in their ability to degrade various forages and in their responses to inoculation with bison rumen contents.

Cleaner energy for cleaner production: Modeling and optimization of biogas generation from Carica papayas (Pawpaw) fruit peels

In this study, the potentials of pretreated and untreated Carica papayas fruit peels for biogas generation was evaluated alongside its process optimization after employing the combination of mechanical and thermo-alkaline pretreatment methods. The peel was anaerobically digested using a consortium of microorganisms from cattle rumen content as inoculum. A batch system designed by the Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed. The physicochemical and microbial characteristics of the substrates and inoculum as well as the constituent of the generated biogas were evaluated using standard methods and results showed elevated levels of most elements after anaerobic digestion. The most feasible experimental biogas yields were 0.1839 m3/kg VS and 0.1361 m3/kg VS for the pretreated and untreated experiments respectively. Microbiologically, members of the genus Clostridium dominated the microbial flora and their succession patterns were affected by temperature and pH. The methane and carbon dioxide content of biogas from both experiments were 61.5± 2.5%; 24± 1% and 52 ± 2%; 25± 1.5% respectively. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were employed in data optimization. Based on the optimized values, the predicted biogas yield for RSM was 0.1895 m3/kg VS and 0.1839 m3/kg VS for ANNs in the pretreated experiment. For the experiment without pretreatment, the RSM predicted yield was 0.1361 m3/kg VS while that of ANNs was 0.1392 m3/kg VS. In all, there was a 26.5% increase in predicted biogas yield in the pretreated experiment over the untreated. Further usage of pawpaw peels for biofuels generation is advocated.

Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya

Carter, N. A., Dewey, C. E., Lukuyu, B., Grace, D. and de Lange, C. F. M. 2015. Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 397–406. In this study, nutritional values and seasonal availability were estimated for 25 local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya, based on analyzed nutrient contents and a review of the literature. Characteristics considered included: crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), ether extract (EE), Ca, P, standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P, total Lys, standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (all as g kg−1 of DM), and digestible energy (DE) (kcal kg−1 DM). Contents of total Lys, SID lysine, STTD P, and DE were estimated. Overripe improved-variety avocado (Persea americana) had the greatest estimated DE (5280 kcal kg−1 DM) and EE content (521 g kg−1 of DM). Cattle rumen content had the greatest NDF content (664 g kg−1 of DM). Sun-dried fish (Rastrineobola argentea) had the greatest estimated STTD P content (13.5 g kg−1 of DM). Amaranthus spinosus L. had the greatest Ca content (26 g kg−1 of DM). Fresh cattle blood had the greatest CP and estimated SID Lys content (944 and 83.0 g kg−1 of DM, respectively). Feedstuffs availability periods are: March through May plus September and October; June through August; and November through February. Local feedstuffs of sufficient nutritional value for pigs are seasonally available. Estimated nutritional values may assist in diet formulation.

회분식 혐기소화에 의한 혐기적 유기물 분해율의 보정 방법

본 연구는 유기성 바이오매스의 혐기소화율 평가에 주로 이용되는 VDI4630법에 대하여 소화액에 녹아 있는 탄산이온 (<TEX>$CO_3{^{2-}}$</TEX>)과 혐기소화 미생물 반응에 참여하는 수분 (<TEX>$H_2O$</TEX>)이 유기물의 혐기적 분해율에 미치는 영향을 분석하였으며, 이를 위해 탄산이온과 수분반응물에 의한 유기물의 혐기적 분해율 산출 보정식을 개발 하고자하였다. 돼지 혈액, 돼지 내장잔재물, 돼지 장내잔재물, 소 반추위잔재물의 화학조성식은 각각 <TEX>$C_{3.78}H_{8.39}O_{1.46}N_1S_{0.01}$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{9.69}H_{15.42}O_{2.85}N_1S_{0.03}$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{25.17}H_{43.32}O_{15.04}N_1$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{27.23}H_{42.38}O_{15.93}N_1S_{0.11}$</TEX>으로 나타났으며, 돼지 혈액, 돼지 내장 잔재물, 돼지 장내잔재물, 소 반추위잔재물에서 이론적으로 1 mol의 유기물이 분해되는데, 0.336, 0.485, 0.227, 0.266 mol의 수분이 참여하였다. 혐기적 유기물 분해율에서 이론적 메탄생산퍼텐셜 대비 실험적 메탄생산퍼텐셜 (<TEX>$B_u/B_{th}$</TEX>)의 비율로 산출한 유기물 분해율은 돼지 혈액, 돼지 내장 잔재물, 돼지 장내잔재물, 소 반추위잔재물에서 각각 82.3, 81.5, 70.8, 66.1%이었으며, VDI4630에 근거한 유기물 분해율 (AB)은 각각 72.2, 87.8, 74.2, 62.0%를 보여 이론적 메탄생산퍼텐셜 대비 실험적 메탄생산퍼텐셜 (<TEX>$B_u/B_{th}$</TEX>)의 비율로 산출하는 유기물 분해율과는 전체 시험구에서 통계적으로 유의성 있는 차이를 보였다. VDI4630법에 소화액 중의 알칼리도를 보정한 유기물 분해율 (AB-I)은 돼지 혈액, 돼지 내장 잔재물, 돼지 장내잔재물, 소 반추위잔재물에서 각각 72.4, 88.1, 74.5, 62.1%를 보였으며, 알칼리도와 수분 반응물을 동시에 보정한 유기물 분해율 (AB-II)에서는 각각 72.5, 88.5, 74.5, 62.3%를 보여 본 연구에서 시험한 각각의 시료에서의 유기물 분해율 AB, AB-I, AB-II 간의 평균은 통계적으로 유의성 있는 차이를 보이지 않았다. 그러나 알칼리도, 수분 반응물의 보정식은 유기물의 혐기적 분해율의 측정에서 좀 더 높은 정확도를 보일 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. This research was carried out to develop the correction method of VDI4630 method improving accuracy, and investigated the effects of carbonate ion (<TEX>$CO_3{^{2-}}$</TEX>) and reactant water (<TEX>$H_2O$</TEX>) on anaerobic organic biodegradability in VDI4630 method. Pig blood, pig intestine residue, pig digestive tract content, and cattle rumen content were experimented as waste biomasses. Chemical formulas of pig blood, pig intestine residue, pig digestive tract content, and cattle rumen content were <TEX>$C_{3.78}H_{8.39}O_{1.46}N_1S_{0.01}$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{9.69}H_{15.42}O_{2.85}N_1S_{0.03}$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{25.17}H_{43.32}O_{15.04}N_1$</TEX>, <TEX>$C_{27.23}H_{42.38}O_{15.93}N_1S_{0.11}$</TEX>, respectively. And amount of reactant moisture for the anaerobic degradation of organic materials were 0.336, 0.485, 0.227, 0.266 mol, respectively. In pig blood, pig intestine residue, pig digestive tract content, and cattle rumen content, anaerobic organic biodegradability presented as <TEX>$B_u/B_{th}$</TEX> were 82.3, 81.5, 70.8, and 66.1%, and anaerobic organic biodegradability (AB) by VDI4630 method were 72.2, 87.8, 74.2, 62.0%, and that were significantly different with anaerobic organic biodegradability presented as <TEX>$B_u/B_{th}$</TEX>. The effects of carbonate ion and reactant water on anaerobic organic biodegradability were not significant, But Accuracy of anaerobic organic degradability was expected to able to be improved by the correction method of VDI4630 considering the carbonate ion at digestate and the reactant water quantified.

Microbially Enhanced Compost Extract: Does It Increase Solubilisation of Minerals and Mineralisation of Organic Matter and Thus Improve Plant Nutrition?

Compost extracts may potentially benefit plant growth through a direct nutritional benefit, through increased mineralisation or solubilisation, through disease protection or by detoxification of the soil environment. Tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum cv. Tiny Tim) and a subsequent sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor cv. Sweet Jumbo LPA) grown on a ferrosol and a vertisol was treated with soil drenches of a cattle rumen content compost extract (aerated and non-aerated, sterilised or not). Soil type was the primary factor in determining growth rate of crops. Compost extracts produced by either extraction method had similar effects on plant growth, and there was no difference between sterilised and non-sterilised treatments. Thus the noted growth benefit of compost extracts was not directly biological in nature. The positive impact of compost extract application on plant growth was ascribed to a nutritional effect, attributed to the high doses of compost extract application used (2 Lpot -1 , equivalent to 34,000 Lha -1 ), delivering 3.4 g of Npot -1 . There was no evidence of increased mineralisation or solubilisation in this exercise.

Microbial enhancement of compost extracts based on cattle rumen content compost – Characterisation of a system

Microbially enhanced compost extracts (‘compost tea’) are being used in commercial agriculture as a source of nutrients and for their perceived benefit to soil microbiology, including plant disease suppression. Rumen content material is a waste of cattle abattoirs, which can be value-added by conversion to compost and ‘compost tea’. A system for compost extraction and microbial enhancement was characterised. Molasses amendment increased bacterial count 10-fold, while amendment based on molasses and ‘fish and kelp hydrolysate’ increased fungal count 10-fold. Compost extract incubated at 1:10 (w/v) dilution showed the highest microbial load, activity and humic/fulvic acid content compared to other dilutions. Aeration increased the extraction efficiency of soluble metabolites, and microbial growth rate, as did extraction of compost without the use of a constraining bag. A protocol of 1:10 dilution and aerated incubation with kelp and molasses amendments is recommended to optimise microbial load and fungal-to-bacterial ratio for this inoculum source.

Comparison of microbially enhanced compost extracts produced from composted cattle rumen content material and from commercially available inocula

A comparative study was performed on compost extracts prepared from cattle rumen content composted for three and nine months, nine month old compost inoculated with a Nutri-Life 4/20™ inoculum, and two commercial preparations (LivingSoil™ and Nutri-Life 4/20™), all incubated for 48h. Nutri-Life 4/20™ had the highest concentrations of NO3-–N and K+–K, while rumen compost extract had higher humic and fulvic acids concentration. The bacterial and fungal community level functional diversity of three month old compost extract and of LivingSoil™, assessed with Biolog™, were higher than that of nine month old rumen compost extract, with or without Nutri-Life 4/20™ inoculum, or Nutri-Life 4/20™. No difference in fungal diversity was observed between treatments, as indicated by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, however, bacterial diversity was higher in all compost extracts and LivingSoil™ compared to the Nutri-Life 4/20™. Criteria for judging the quality of a microbially enhanced extract are discussed.

Limited genetic variability inMegasphaera elsdenii strains

Levels of phenotypic and genotypic diversity among seven Megasphaera elsdenii strains recovered from rumen contents of cattle, sheep and lambs were determined by a combination of antibiotic-resistance analysis and PCR fingerprint techniques targeted both to the ribosomal RNA operon (ARDRA, RISA) and the whole genome (ERIC-PCR, RAPD-PCR). Despite exhibiting different antibiotic resistance profiles, the tested strains represent genetically nearly identical isolates. Close genetic relatedness was found among M. elsdenii isolates that originated from vastly different habitats worldwide, as revealed by the comparison of 16S rDNA sequences.

Phylogenetic analysis of yeast in the rumen contents of cattle based on the 26S rDNA sequence

The composition of yeast communities in the rumen of cattle was investigated using comparative DNA sequence analysis of yeast 26S rDNA genes. 26S rDNA libraries were constructed from rumen fluid (FF), rumen solid (FS) and rumen epithelium (FE). A total of 97 clones, containing a partial 26S rDNA sequence of 0·6 kb length, were sequenced and subjected to an on-line similarity search.The 41 FF clones could be divided into five classes. The largest class was affiliated with Pezizomycotina class (85·4% of clones), and the remaining classes were related with the Urediniomycotina (2·4%), Hymenomycetes (4·9%), Ustilaginomycetes (4·9%) and Saccharomycotina (2·4%) classes. The 26 FE clones could be divided into three classes and the Saccharomycetes class (92·4% of clones) was the largest group. The remaining classes were related with either Pezizomycotina (3·8%) or Ustilaginomycetes (3·8%). The 30 FS clones were all affiliated with Saccharomycotina. Saccharomycotina were predominant in rumen epithelium and rumen solid while Pezizomycotina were predominant in rumen fluid. Yeast belonging to the Saccharomycotina class was predominant in the rumen as a whole (57%). One clone (FF34) had less than 90% similarity to any sequence in the database and was thus apparently unrelated to any previously described yeast.

Effects of cross-inoculation from elk and feeding pine needles on the protozoan fauna of pregnant cows: occurrence of Parentodinium africanum in domestic U.S. cattle (Bos taurus).

Consumption of pine needles tends to cause abortion in domestic cattle but not in elk. The present study was undertaken to determine whether this difference was associated with the rumen microbial population. After emptying the rumen, pregnant cattle were inoculated with either elk or cattle rumen contents. For those cows fed the pine needle diet, there was no difference in abortion rate between those inoculated with rumen contents from either elk or cattle. Protozoal concentrations and number of genera were observed to decrease markedly in all cows fed the diet containing pine needles. The cycloposthiid ciliate Parentodinium africanum was observed in rumen contents from several of the domestic cattle (Bos taurus). Concentrations ranged from 1.4 to 130.6 x 10(4) per ml of rumen contents, which comprised 4.6 to 80.3% of the total ciliate population. Mean dimensions of this species were: length, 33.4 microns; width, 19.7 microns; length/width ratio, 1.70, which were similar to those previously reported for this species from Bos indicus in Brazil. This is the first observation of P. africanum, originally observed and described in stomach contents of the hippopotamus, either in Bos taurus or in any host in the northern hemisphere.

Aislamiento, Patrón de Fermentación de Carbohidratos y Caracterización Morfológica de Bacterias Celulolíticas del Rumen de Bovinos Alimentados con Heno de Raigrás en Colombia

&lt;p&gt;En el Centro Nacional de Investigaciones “Tibaitatá” de Corpoica, localizado en un ecosistema trópical a una altura de 2550 m.s.n.m, se adelantó un estudio para caracterizar la población de bacterias celulolíticas ruminales de bovinos. Cinco cepas de bacterias anaerobias celulolíticas fueron aisladas a partir del contenido ruminal de bovinos alimentados con heno de raigrás (Lolium multijlorum). Las pruebas bioquímicas, el patrón de fermentación de carbohidratos y la caracterización morfológica, incluyendo los estudios de microscopía electrónica de transmisión de la membrana celular y el glicocáliz, permitieron clasificar las cepas aisladas como: Fibrobacter succinogenes succinogenes (F31 y F32), Fibrobacter succinogenes elongata(F33), Ruminococcus albus (R38) y Ruminococcus flavefaciens (R39). La cepa de R. albus fermentó un mayor número de fuentes de carbono que la cepa de R. flavefaciens, pero ambas, fermentaron celobiosa, pectina y xilano. Ninguna de las dos subespecies de Fibrobacter aisladas fermentó pentosas. Las cepas de Fibrobacter presentaron morfologías de colonia en roll-tube de agar celobiosa, no repor­ tadas en la literatura. La apariencia, tamaño y distribución del glicocáliz en las células de las cepas del género Ruminococcus hicieron posible la diferenciación de sus dos espe­ cies R. albus y R. flavefaciens y la confirmación del status taxonómico de las otras cepas celulolíticas. Las cepas aisladas constituyen las primeras entradas al banco de germoplasma microbial de referencia para bovinos en Colombia. Actualmente se adelantan los estudios de actividad enzimática celulolítica de estas cepas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Isolation, Carbohydrate Fermentation Pattern and Morphological Characterization of Rumen Cellulolytic Bacteria of Cattle Fed Raygrass Hay in Colombia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A Characterization study of rumen cellulolytic bacteria of cattle was conducted at the National Research Center "Tibaitatá" of Corpoica, located in a highland (2550 m.a.s.l) tropical ecosystem of Colombia. Five anaerobic strains of cellulolytic bacteria (F31, F32, F33, R38 and R39) were isolated from the rumen contents of cattle fed on raygrass (Lolium multiflorum) hay. Classification of the isolated rumen bacteria strains was accomplished by biochemical tests, carbohydrate fermentation patterns and morphological characterization, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of cell membrane and glycocalix. The isolated strains were: Fibrobacter succinogenes succinogenes (F31y F32), Fibrobacter succi nogenes elongata (F33), Ruminococcus albus (R38) and Ruminococcus flavefaciens (R39).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ruminococcus albus fermented more carbohydrate sources than Ruminococcus flavefaciens, however, both species fermented cellobiose, pectin and xilan Fibrobacter isolates did not ferment pentose sugar s. Six different types of morphology of the colony, sorne of them not reported previously, were observed in Fibrobacter isolates growing on agar-containing roll­ tubes. Ruminococcus species were identified as R. albus and R. fla vefaciens by differences in cell structure, size and distribution of the glycocalix. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the taxonomic status of isolated bacteria species. Isolated bacteria are the first entries to the reference rumen germplasm bank of cattle in Colombia. Enzymatic assays are being conducted to measure cellulolytic activity of the isolated strains. &lt;/p&gt;

Effect of Combinations of Feather Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, and Urea as Sources of Supplemental Protein on Nitrogen Balance and Characteristics of Rumen Contents of Cattle

Steers in metabolism stalls and ruminally cannulated steers were used in two separate 8 x 8 Latin Square experiments to evaluate several combinations of protein sources that supplied 33% of the total dietary protein. Protein sources compared were urea (U), hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM), hydrolyzed feather meal plus urea (HFM+U), soy-bean meal (SBM), hydrolyzed feathermeal plus soybean meal (HFM+SBM), corn gluten meal (CGM), corn gluten meal plus urea (CGM+U), and corn gluten meal plus soybean meal (CGM+SBM), with the combinations being a 50:50 CP mixture. There were no differences among protein sources compared in N retention (45.9 ± 5.09 g/d) or N retention as a percentage of N intake 29.8 + 3.24%). Hydrolyzed feather meal N was less (P<.05) digestible (64.0%) than that from U (73.7), HFM+U (68.4), SBM (72.6), HFM+SBM (69.3), CGM (70.0), CGM+U (71.6), or CGM+SBM (72.3). Urea-N digestibility was higher (P<.05) than was HFM+U-N and HFM+SBM-N. Blood urea-N was not affected by protein source at 2 h, but was higher (P<.05) for U at 4 and 6h vs. other treatments. Ruminal fluid NH3-N and pH were increased (P<.05) by protein source at 2 and 4h but not at 6h. Total VFA concentrations were not affected by protein source at 2, 4, and 6h. Urea or SBM used in combination with CGM or HFM may reduce the cost of protein supplementation without affecting N utilization by steers.

Relations between passage rates of rumen fluid and particulate matter and foam production in rumen contents of cattle fed on different diets ad lib.

1. A group of six cattle, three of which had a non-bloating history (group A) and had been ruminally cannulated for the previous 2 years, and three with a history of being bloat-prone (group B) and which had been ruminally cannulated only 3 months before the study, were fed ad lib. on chopped lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay, lucerne pellets, or a 100 g chopped hay and 900 g rolled barley grain/kg diet over three periods of 30 d each. Flow of rumen digesta, by reference to CoEDTA and chromium-mordanted fibres, and foam production from samples of rumen contents were measured. 2. Samples of rumen contents (50 ml) from group A produced foam heights of 150 and 60 mm, 2 and 4 h after feeding respectively, compared with 240 and 150 mm for group B (P less than 0.05). 3. The fractional passage rate of the 1-2 mm particles mordanted with Cr did not differ (P greater than 0.05) between groups. 4. The fractional outflow rates (FOR) for CoEDTA 0-2 h and 2-7 h after feed was offered were 0.205 and 0.160/h for group A and 0.093 and 0.086/h for group B respectively (P less than 0.05). 5. Rumen-fluid FOR 0-2 h and 2-7 h after provision of feed were significantly (P less than 0.05) inversely correlated (r -0.74 and -0.85 respectively) with the amount of foam produced from rumen contents at these times.

On the contribution of the acrylate pathway to the formation of propionate from lactate in the rumen of cattle.

The effect of chloral hydrate, an inhibitor of methanogenesis, on the participation of the acrylate pathway in the formation of propionate from lactate in rumen contents of cattle was studied in vitro. Addition of chloral hydrate resulted in only a small stimulation of the acrylate pathway, much lower than the stimulation of propionate production by chloral hydrate. This means that the flux of carbon through both the acrylate and the dicarboxylic acid pathway is increased during chloral hydrate feeding. The influence of time of sampling after feeding on the contribution of the acrylate pathway was studied in a separate experiment. A marked drop in the participation of the acrylate pathway in propionate formation from lactate during at least 2 h after feeding was observed, whereafter a rapid rise to prefeeding levels occurred.

Simple Method for Isolation of Selenomonas ruminantium and Some Nutritional Characteristics of the Species

Selenomonas ruminantium is easily isolated from rumen contents of cattle by use of a selective anaerobic agar medium containing mannitol, trypticase, yeast extract, n-valerate, acetate, cysteine, minerals, and C02 gas phase. Nutritional studies on a strain of S. ruminantium showed that growth is very poor in a medium containing glucose as the main energy source, B vitamins, acetate, casitone, cysteine, minerals, and CO2. Addition of 1mM n-valerate allowed excellent growth. In chemically defined media, ammonia, cysteine, serine, or aspartate was effectively utilized as a sole nitrogen source, and sulfide as sole sulfur source. Alanine was much less effective and nitrate, urea, and biuret were not utilized as sole nitrogen sources.

ISOLATION, ENUMERATION, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PROTEOLYTIC RUMINAL BACTERIA.

Fulghum, Robert S. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg) and W. E. C. Moore. Isolation, enumeration, and characteristics of proteolytic ruminal bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 85:808-815. 1963.-Colony counts of proteolytic ruminal bacteria in the order of 10(9) organisms per g of whole rumen contents, and total colony counts in the order of 2 to 3 x 10(9) organisms per g, were obtained from rumen contents of cattle fed a maintenance ration of hay and grain. The proteolytic counts averaged 38% of the total counts. An anaerobic, differential medium characterizing proteolytic colonies by clear zones in an opaque skim-milk suspension was utilized. Proteolytic isolates were assigned to the following taxa: Butyrivibrio sp., Succinivibrio sp., Selenomonas ruminantium var. lactilytica, Borrelia sp., Bacteroides sp., and selenomonadlike organisms similar to the B-385 group of Bryant.

In vitro Fermentation of Fibrous and Soluble Constituents of Legumes in the Rumen of the Cow

CONRAD et al.1 reported that washed lucerne fibre produces considerably more gas than, lucerne juice in in vitro experiments on fermentation in the rumen of cattle and concluded that the plant constituents responsible for the initial rapid gas production in acute bloat were associated with the fibre. These observations are not consistent with others which suggest that the non-fibrous portion of the plant is more important in the aetiology of bloat. Thus, for example, bloat tends to be correlated with succulent forages low in fibre2 and acute bloat can be produced by the oral or intraruminal administration of lucerne3–6 and clover juices7. During an investigation of the fermentation of the various plant fractions by rumen contents from cattle of different bloating potential, we have observed that rumen contents of cattle fed fresh red clover have little ability to ferment rapidly either clover or lucerne fibre. This communication presents a summary of these observations.

A gram-negative sporing bacterium from the rumen.

REPORTS in the literature of Gram-negative sporing bacteria are comparatively rare, although recently three have been mentioned1–3, two from the rumen contents of cattle or sheep. We have obtained some Gram-negative sporing organisms during investigation of rumen bacteria. Three isolations were obtained from Gram-negative rods of the genera Bacteroides and Butyrivibrio 4 which had been isolated at different times from the rumens of sheep or cattle using a strictly anaerobic technique, based on that of Hungate5, with either xylose or xylan as carbohydrate. Sporing forms were first noted on reculturing freeze-dried cultures. It seemed unlikely that the sporing bacteria were airborne contaminants, and although they were, under some conditions, very similar in morphology to the Bacteroides and Butyrivibrio spp. their properties always differed from these bacteria even after continued anaerobic culturing.

The Development of Rumen Function in the Dairy Calf I. Some Characteristics of the Rumen Contents of Cattle of Various Ages1,2

Summary The data presented show a picture of gradual but progressive development of rumen function with age in dairy animals. Large within-group variations tended to make apparent differences from one age group to the next nonsignificant statistically. However, the amount and percentages of the acids investigated in the rumen contents of these calves on a normal diet tended to stabilize at least by the second month of life. According to this and the other criteria used in this work, by about 6 months of age few differences existed between the calf and the adult under this feeding regime.

Further Studies on Riboflavin and Thiamine in the Rumen Content of Cattle. II

The data presented show that riboflavin is synthesized in the rumen of the steer when a ration containing corn, alfalfa hay, and a protein supplement is fed. When corn was omitted from the alfalfa hay-protein supplement rations there was no apparent synthesis of riboflavin as judged by the comparative riboflavin content of the ration and the dried ingesta. As the amount of corn in the ration increased, there was a corresponding increase in the riboflavin content of the ingesta. Additional evidence was obtained that when ground corn was fed, the riboflavin content of the ingesta was higher than that of the ingesta from a similar ration containing an equal weight of whole corn. The results with a partially synthetic low-vitamin ration also show that riboflavin is synthesized in the rumen and that there appears to be a correlation between the amount of carbohydrates in the ration and the riboflavin content of the dried ingesta. There was no evidence obtained that thiamine was synthesized in any of the experiments as judged by the comparative thiamine content of the feeds and the dried ingesta, with the possible exception of the one in which ground corn was fed. The results with both whole corn as part of the ration and with the partially synthetic low-vitamin ration show that there was a loss of thiamine in the ingesta in comparison with the feed, but the loss incurred decreased as the amount of corn or carbohydrates in the rations increased.