Authors : N.T. Vinh, M. Wanapat, P. Khejornsart and P. Kongmun
Abstract: Rumen microorganism community population and diversity in the rumen of four ruminal fistulated swamp buffloes (Bubalus bulalis) were assessed by 4 types of libraries: Microscopic; roll-tube; real-time PCR; and PCR-DGGE libraries. All buffaloes were randomly assigned in a 2x2 factorial arrangement in a 4x4 LSD to receive 4 dietary treatments; factor A = 2 sources of roughage (rice straw; RS and 2 urea 2% lime treated rice straw; TRS), factor B = 2 level of urea in concentrate mixture (0 and 4% urea). In addition, rumen fermentation parameters were also estimated to determine the relationship between microorganism changes to rumen fermentation efficiency. It was found that total rumen bacteria, F. succinogenes, R. albus cellulolytic bacteria and fungal population were greater by dietary treatment with urea-lime treated rice straw and 4% urea in concentrate mixture while R. flavefaciens, protozoal population were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and amylolytic, proteolytic bacterial groups, total bacteria were not changed among treatments. The population of rumen methanogenic bacteria was reduced across treatments while its diversity was not changed with 18 different bands in each lane. The ruminal pH, ruminal NH3-N, BUN concentration, propionic acid and acetic acid were significantly increased (p<0.05) when buffaloes consumed both urea-lime treated rice straw and concentrate containing 4% urea. Based on this study, the combination of urea-lime treated rice straw and 4% urea in concentrate supplementation could improve rumen fermentation efficiency, rumen fibrolytic microbes’ quantity and rumen ecology for the host buffaloes.
N.T. Vinh, M. Wanapat, P. Khejornsart and P. Kongmun, 2011. Studies of Diversity of Rumen Microorganisms and Fermentation in Swamp Buffalo Fed Different Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 406-414.