Rumen Inoculation Research Articles

Pre-weaning Ruminal Administration of Differentially-Enriched, Rumen-Derived Inocula Shaped Rumen Bacterial Communities and Co-occurrence Networks of Post-weaned Dairy Calves.

Adult rumen fluid inoculations have been considered to facilitate the establishment of rumen microbiota of pre-weaned dairy calves. However, the sustained effects of the inoculations remain to be explored. In our previous study, 20 pre-weaned dairy calves had been dosed with four types of adult rumen inoculums [autoclaved rumen fluid, bacterial-enriched rumen fluid (BE), protozoal-enriched (PE), and BE + PE] weekly at 3 to 6 weeks of age. To verify the sustained effect of adult rumen inoculation, the rumen bacterial communities, fermentation characteristics, and animal performance measurements were measured after sacrifice from 20 post-weaned dairy bull calves (9 weeks of age). Ruminal pH tended to be lower in BE treated calves (n = 10). All PE treated calves had rumen ciliates (>104 cells per ml of rumen fluid). PE treated calves had greater VFA concentrations (P = 0.052), lower molar proportions of isobutyrate (P = 0.073), and butyrate (P = 0.019) compared to those of control calves. No treatment differences were found in all animal performance measurements. Both PE and BE inocula increased bacterial species richness, Faith’s phylogenetic diversity, and Shannon’s index in rumen liquid fractions. However, the relative proportion of those bacterial taxa possibly transferred from the donor’s rumen was minor. Microbial network analysis showed different co-occurrence and mutually exclusive interactions between treatments of microbial inoculations. Collectively, adult rumen inoculations in pre-weaned dairy calves slightly altered the rumen bacteriome of post-weaned calves without changing fermentation and animal performance.

Effect of rumen fluid inoculation on performance of calves

Effect of rumen fluid inoculation on performance of calves

Positive consequences of maternal diet and post-natal rumen inoculation on rumen function and animal performance of Merino lambs

Neonatal modification of the microbial inoculum entering the gastrointestinal tract may alter the rumen microbiome and consequently alter pre- and post-weaning rumen fermentation and growth of lambs. This study aimed to determine (1) if modifying the rumen by providing ewes with lipids differing in rumen-availability in late gestation and lactation would affect performance of the lamb offspring and (2) whether cross-inoculation of neonatal lambs with digesta from sheep on an alternate diet would modify the fermentation, size, and characteristics of the developing rumen and performance of lambs. Two diets were offered ad libitum to 36 pregnant ewes (and to their lambs after lambing) from 1 month pre-lambing until 2 weeks after weaning, after which lambs were grazed in treatment groups in paddocks. Diets consisted of 92% of a blend of oaten and lucerne chopped hay, 4% molasses and 4% fat (coconut oil – CO or protected fat – PF). Newborn lambs were inoculated weekly while suckling (weeks one to eight postnatal) with fresh rumen fluid from donor ewes eating CO or PF diets, or were inoculated with water. Lamb body weight, condition score, wool growth, rumen fermentation, and rumen development were studied during the first 5 months of life of the lambs. Diet and inoculation affected dry matter intake after weaning (P<0.05), being lower in lambs eating CO or inoculated with water. Feeding of CO instead of PF reduced the protozoa population and daily methane production of lambs (P<0.05). Type of gut inoculum had an effect on the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids, and total protozoa numbers in the rumen of lambs during lactation. By weaning, effects of post-natal inoculation were only apparent for the concentration of butyrate and the protozoal population. It is concluded that dietary fat can affect rumen development and fermentation of the lambs. In addition inoculation with exogenous rumen fluid can modulate some aspects of rumen fermentation. However, lamb performance evaluated at weaning and at 5 months after birth was not altered by either diet or early-life inoculum, suggesting that while the rumen microbiome may have plasticity in its composition, microbial changes do not necessarily result in improved animal performance.

Programming rumen bacterial communities in newborn Merino lambs

Establishment of the rumen microbiome can be affected by both early-life dietary measures and rumen microbial inoculation. This study used a 2×3 factorial design to evaluate the effects of inclusion of dietary fat type and the effects of rumen inoculum from different sources on ruminal bacterial communities present in early stages of the lambs’ life. Two different diets were fed ad libitum to 36 pregnant ewes (and their lambs) from 1 month pre-lambing until weaning. Diets consisted of chaffed lucerne and cereal hay and 4% molasses, with either 4% distilled coconut oil (CO) provided as a source of rumen-active fat or 4% Megalac® provided as a source of rumen-protected fat (PF). One of three inoculums was introduced orally to all lambs, being either (1) rumen fluid from donor ewes fed the PF diet; (2) rumen fluid from donor ewes fed CO; or (3) a control treatment of MilliQ-water. After weaning at 3 months of age, each of the six lamb treatment groups were grazed in spatially separated paddocks. Rumen bacterial populations of ewes and lambs were characterised using 454 amplicon pyrosequencing of the V3/V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Species richness and biodiversity of the bacterial communities were found to be affected by the diet in ewes and lambs and by inoculation treatment of the lambs. Principal coordinate analysis and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed between diet differences in bacterial community groups existed in ewes and differential bacterial clusters occurred in lambs due to both diet and neonatal inoculation. Diet and rumen inoculation acted together to clearly differentiate the bacterial communities through to weaning, however the microbiome effects of these initial early life interventions diminished with time so that rumen bacterial communities showed greater similarity 2 months after weaning. These results demonstrate that ruminal bacterial communities of newborn lambs can be altered by modifying the diet of their mothers. Moreover, the rumen microbiome of lambs can be changed by diet while they are suckling or by inoculating their rumen, and resulting changes in the rumen bacterial microbiome can persist beyond weaning.

Rates of urinary toxin excretion in unprotected steers fed Leucaena leucocephala

Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) is a productive, nutritious, leguminous forage tree with high capacity for ruminant liveweight gain. The plant does, however, contain the non-protein amino acid, mimosine, which is degraded within the rumen to 3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone (3,4-DHP) with potential to cause adverse effects on animal health and production. Stock can be protected via rumen inoculation with the bacterium Synergistes jonesii, which is capable of degrading the toxin. However, surveys have demonstrated that subclinical toxicity persists in Queensland herds (Dalzell et al. 2012). Currently, testing for toxicity involves analysis of urine samples using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); a colorimetric urine test protocol has also been developed with the aim of providing a robust and reliable means for routinely testing herds (Graham et al. 2013). A significant problem affecting interpretation of the results from either method is the high variation in the concentrations of toxins excreted by animals on similar diets and by individual animals over time (Dalzell et al. 2012). Factors such as feed intake, water consumption and urine volume, as well as timing of sampling may be the cause of this variation. This research investigated the effects of sample timing by measuring the time taken for mimosine and its breakdown products to present in the urine following the introduction of leucaena to the ration of cattle naive to the plant.

Tolerance to mimosine and the effect of rumen inoculation in West African Dwarf goats fed on Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium

Tolerance to mimosine and the effect of rumen inoculation in West African Dwarf goats fed on Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium

Streptococcus caprinus is ineffective as a rumen inoculum to improve digestion of mulga (Acacia aneura) by sheep

This study examined the distribution of Streptococcus caprinus in domestic and feral ruminants, and the effect of rumen inoculation with S. caprinus on nitrogen digestion in mulga-fed sheep. S. caprinus is a tannin-resistant rumen bacterium found in feral goats and may play a role in alleviating the nutritive depressing effects of high concentrations of plant tannins in these animals. S. caprinus was present in samples of rumen fluid from feral goats and feral camels but was not detectable in rumen fluid from sheep and domestic goats that had not previously grazed forages containing condensed tannins. A proportion of sheep, domestic goats, and cattle grazing in mulga paddocks, with either feral goats or camels, had detectable populations of S. caprinus. Pure cultures of S. caprinus grown in vitro were successfully placed in the rumen of sheep; however, nitrogen digestion was unaffected by rumen inoculation. Interactions between several populations of micro-organisms may therefore be involved in achieving improvements in protein digestion.

Effects of Dietary Change or Rumen Inoculation upon Subsequent Daily Digestibility in the Ovine

Effects of Dietary Change or Rumen Inoculation upon Subsequent Daily Digestibility in the Ovine

A note on some aspects of rumen fermentation in Holstein calves changed from an all-concentrate diet to high levels of molasses/urea and forage

SUMMARYTwo changeover treatments were studied over a 5-week period in eight early-weaned concentrate-fed Holstein calves of initial weight 160 kg. Fresh forage was given ad libitum for one week (A) or two weeks (B); calves on the latter treatment also had 500 g daily of maize meal. All calves received 300 g/100 kg live weight of a protein supplement and had free access to sodium and phosphorus-rich minerals. A rumen inoculation was given after seven days of forage feeding, at which point a liquid molasses/urea mixture was introduced, first in small amounts and then after a further seven days ad libitum. The forage was then restricted to 3 kg/100 kg live weight. Both treatments were effective in raising rumen pH and buffering capacity to the point of allowing the establishment and maintenance of protozoa, chiefly Entodinium and Isotricha spp. Protein N as a percentage of the total N of rumen contents was about 90 with the all-concentrate diet, fell to 35 with the roughage diets and then rose again to 80–90 by the end of the experiment.

EFFECT OF DIET ON FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN DAIRY CALVES 1 TO 13 WEEKS OLD.

Fourteen male Holstein-Fresian calves, 3–4 days of age, were placed on one of four diets for a 13-week experimental period. The diets included the following: milk and milk solids; milk and grain; milk, grain, and hay, inoculated (rumen ingesta from a mature steer introduced via stomach tube into the rumen of an experimental calf); or milk and grain, inoculated. Significant differences were noted in the effect of diet, age, and the interaction of diet and age on the fasting level of blood glucose. The calves on the diet containing milk and milk solids maintained a constant level of fasting blood glucose; however, the inclusion of grain and hay in the diet resulted in a decline of the fasting blood glucose. The rumen inoculation of one of the groups of calves on the milk and grain diet did not result in a fasting blood glucose which was statistically different from that of the calves not inoculated. ruminant blood glucose; diet and age interaction; milk solids Submitted on February 26, 1963

Value of Hay and Rumen Inoculation in an Early-Weaning System for Dairy Calves

Summary Twenty-eight Holstein bull calves were used on a 21-day weaning system to determine the value of cud-inoculation and feeding of hay free-choice or incorporated into the starter. The calves were divided into four groups: Group I, Starter A with hay free-choice from 43rd day; Group II, Starter A with hay free-choice from eighth day; Groups III and IV, Starter B with 32.55% hay incorporated. The first three groups were inoculated at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of age. Calves in the four groups gained an average of 1.04, 1.12, 1.09, and 1.00 lb, respectively, during the eight- to 70-day experimental period. The differences were not statistically significant. Starter consumption increased rapidly as milk was withdrawn. Feed intakes and utilization after 21 days of age were adequate for maintenance plus a satisfactory weight gain. The two groups of calves fed hay free-choice consumed 12.4 and 18.2 lb hay during the experiment, compared to 58.9 and 53.8 lb by calves fed hay incorporated in the starter. Calves fed the starter with hay incorporated consumed 28.5 lb less grain and gained 2.2 lb less weight. Thus, hay can not only be force-fed at an early age but it can be utilized by the calf. When hay was offered free-choice, some calves consumed very little. As a consequence, there was less rumen development and, in some cases, hyperkeratosis of the rumen, erosion of the rumen wall, and rumen plaques. Cud-inoculation had little value in the 21-day weaning system.

High Roughage System for Raising Calves Based on Early Development of Rumen Function. IX. Effect of Rumen Inoculations and Chlortetracycline on Rumen Function of Calves Fed High Roughage Pellets

Summary In three experiments, 86 Jerseys and 17 Holsteins were used in a study of the effects of rumen inoculations, chlortetracycline and other feed supplements, on growth and digestion of calves fed high roughage pellets. The effect of feeding high roughage pellets of different composition, and of rumen inoculations, on establishment of rumen microorganisms, rumen volatile fatty acids, artificial rumen digestion, and rumen pH are presented in a companion paper. The feeding of high roughage pellets (basically, two parts one-half inches ground alfalfa hay and one part a simple grain mixture made into pellets one-fourth inches in diameter) resulted in earlier dry feed intake, earlier rumen function, and more rapid growth than was observed in previous experiments, in which loose hay and grain were fed separately in a 2:1 ratio. Growth and feed intake were enhanced when chlortetracycline was included in the pellets. Little effect was observed when chlortetracycline was fed in the milk to 7 wk., then administered by mixing in 1lb. of warm water from 7 to 16 wk. No benefit was observed from the combined effects of adding molasses, distillers solubles, calcium phosphate, and brewers yeast to the basal high roughage pellets in two experiments. Reducing the total protein of the basal high roughage pellets from 14.3 to 12.3% by replacing all of the soybean meal with corn resulted in retarded growth and lower feed intake in both Jerseys and Holsteins. Replacing approximately one-half the alfalfa hay with good timothy hay in the basal pellets had no appreciable effect on growth or feed consumption, despite somewhat lower digestibility of dry matter and cellulose in the pellets that contained timothy hay. No significant differences in the performance of rumen-inoculated calves compared to uninoculated calves were measured. There was a tendency, though the differences were not statistically significant, for the uninoculated calves to perform better than those that were inoculated. Rumen (cud) inoculation in relation to the high roughage system for raising calves is discussed.

High Roughage System for Raising Calves Based on the Early Development of Rumen Function. VIII. Effect of Rumen Inoculations and Chlortetracycline on Performance of Calves Fed High Roughage Pellets

High Roughage System for Raising Calves Based on the Early Development of Rumen Function. VIII. Effect of Rumen Inoculations and Chlortetracycline on Performance of Calves Fed High Roughage Pellets

The value of rumen inoculations and of diets containing sweetening agents for calves weaned on to dry food at three weeks of age

The successful outcome of early weaning and dry feeding of calves would appear to depend upon, among other things, the early establishment in the calf’s rumen of a microbial association similar to that in the adult ruminant. Inoculating the rumen of such calves with’ rumen contents from older animals might be a method of hastening this development.In an earlier experiment in this series (Preston, 1956), it was found that by substituting linseed cake meal in place of dried skimmed milk in the meal mixture caused a reduction in consumption of the mixture and adversely affected growth rate. This indicated that it might be beneficial to incorporate in the diet some form of sweetening agent.

Influence of Ration and Rumen Inoculation on the Growth of Dairy Calves1,2

Summary Thirty-two new-born dairy calves were used in studying the effects of a highroughage ration and rumen inoculations on growth and development. The experimental treatments were imposed through four months of age. The control calves gained an average of 1.21 lb. daily; those restricted in grain feeding, 0.99 lb.; those fed similar to the controls and inoculated, 1.11 lb., those restricted in grain feeding and inoculated, 1.04 lb. None of the differences between groups were statistically significant. Restricting the grain intake resulted in a significant (P =0.01) decrease in the height at withers, but had no essential effect on chest or barrel circumference. Rumen inoculations had no significant effect on height at withers or on chest or barrel circumference. No significant differences were observed in efficiency of feed utilization (calculated TDN per lb. body weight gain) between treatment groups; however, the calves limited in grain intake consumed significantly less (P =0.05) TDN than calves allowed up to four pounds of grain daily. Restricting the grain intake did not materially affect the consumption of roughage. The inoculated calves did consume slightly more roughage than the uninoculated animals; however, the difference was not significant. The development of the reticulo-rumen, as judged by the decline in blood glucose, was not affected by the amount of roughage in the diet or by rumen inoculations.

A High Roughage System for Raising Dairy Calves Based on the Early Development of Rumen Function. III. Effect of Rumen Inoculations and the Ratio of Hay to Grain on Digestion and Nitrogen Retention

Summary The digestibility of protein, dry matter, and cellulose and nitrogen retention have been studied in rumen inoculated and uninoculated calves and in calves fed various types of hay and grain in the ratios of 4:1, 3 :2, and 2 :3. Cud inoculations increased the apparent digestibility of protein in a calf when a low protein, poor quality hay ration was fed or when the chief source of protein was alfalfa hay. Increased protein through heavier grain feeding did not result in a difference in protein digestibility between cud inoculated and uninoculated calves. Nitrogen retention was not significantly affected by rumen inoculations. Alfalfa and mixed clover-timothy hay fed in combination with a mixture of corn and soybean oil meal in the ratio of four parts hay to one part grain resulted in the low nitrogen retention of 7.45g. per day per 100lb. of body weight. When hay-grain ratios of 3:2 and 2:3 were fed, the average retention was 11.87 and 12.87g. of nitrogen per 100lb. of body weight per day, respectively. The average daily nitrogen retention for the two types of hay was approximately the same even though the apparent digestibility of alfalfa hay was markedly higher than that of the mixed clover-timothy. The digestibility of cellulose was less when the 2:3 ratio of hay to grain was fed than when either 4:1 or 3:2 ratios were fed, regardless of the type of hay used. Calves changed abruptly from a 2:3 to a 4:1 ratio digested cellulose equally as well as control calves fed continuously on a 4:1 ratio. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to rumen physiology and their application to the high roughage system of calf feeding.

The Development of Calves Raised without Protozoa and Certain other Characteristic Rumen Microorganisms

Summary The growth and development of four Jersey calves which were raised in pens segregated from other cattle were compared with 12 others which were inoculated with cud material from older cattle and raised at the same time on similar rations of alfalfa hay and limited quantities of grain. The uninoculated calves failed to develop usual protozoa in their rumens and also some varieties of characteristic rumen microflora which were used as indicators of the presence of usual rumen microorganisms. One of the four calves accidentally received a partial rumen inoculation. This resulted in one type of the characteristic indicator microflora which readily is digested by abomasal fluids becoming established in its rumen. Average gains in weight at 6 mo. of age were 229lb. for the four uninoculated calves and 235.5lb. for the 12 inoculated animals, a difference of only 5.5lb. The calf which received the partial rumen inoculation had a neat and healthy appearance similar to the control inoculated calves, but the hair coats of the other three were much rougher in appearance. Their abdomens seemed deeper and pot-bellied. The latter three had a persistent habit of nosing down through the bedding to pick up wet bits of straw. It was considered possible that this habit was due to a stimulus to seek inoculation of their rumens with substitute rumen microorganisms in the absence of the usual microflora and fauna. The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of John Tate, R. L. Johnson and C. E. Knoop in conducting this investigation.

The Effect of Rumen Inoculations on the Digestibility of Roughages in Young Dairy Calves

The Effect of Rumen Inoculations on the Digestibility of Roughages in Young Dairy Calves

The Influence of Pasture and Rumen Inoculation on the Establishment of Certain Microorganisms in the Rumen of Young Dairy Calves

The Influence of Pasture and Rumen Inoculation on the Establishment of Certain Microorganisms in the Rumen of Young Dairy Calves

The Influence of the Ration and Rumen Inoculation on the Establishment of Certain Microorganisms in the Rumens of Young Calves

Summary The rumens of young calves being fed milk and various dry feed rations were inoculated with microorganisms from the rumens of mature stock by placing pieces of cuds from the latter in the posterior of the mouths of the calves. The inoculations were omitted from similarly fed calves used as controls. The inoculations assisted in the establishment of protozoa in the rumens of calves eating either hay alone or both hay and grain. They assisted in the establishment of some, but not all, of the characteristic varieties of rumen microflora which were associated with hay ingestion in calves fed on alfalfa hay alone. The establishment of varieties of organisms which were associated with the ingestion of grain was not assisted by the inoculations. The establishment of the varieties of flora which were associated with hay ingestion was inhibited in some calves when grain was fed. The inoculated calves on a diet of alfalfa hay and milk alone were considered to have a better appearance than the controls, but this difference was not apparent between the inoculated and uninoculated groups fed on both hay and grain. Data reported elsewhere (5) show that uniformly higher levels of ascorbic acid in the blood plasma were maintained during the first 6 weeks following birth in the inoculated calves fed alfalfa hay and milk alone than in the calves of any other group. Gains in weight by the calves were very similar in all groups during the first 3 weeks of age. During the second 3-week period, all groups made similar gains except group V, which received a commercial calf starter grain ration. The two groups of calves fed on alfalfa hay and milk alone were free of diarrhea, but the incidence in all other groups was in excess of 50 per cent. Feces were examined in a search for sources of organisms which resembled natural inhabitants of rumens and some appeared to be present.