Densities of Ruminal Protozoa of Sheep Established Under Different Dietary Conditions

Abstract

Faunal and some floral studies were made on the rumen of sheep under different dietary conditions. The density of rumen protozoa in animals fed hay plus concentrate was generally larger than that in animals fed hay. Density differences between the two dietary conditions were specific with respect to the kind of protozoa. Numbers of Dasytricha ruminantium were unaffected by the two dietary conditions, and those of species belonging to Entodinium decreased moderately in one species and greatly in three species when animals were fed hay. With respect to higher oligotrichs, when Polyplastron multivesiculatum existed, it showed an intermediate mode between Dasytricha and Entodinium. Another three co-existing higher oligotrichs in other animals, Eudiplodinium maggi, Epidinium ecaudatum f. caudatum, and Diplodinium dentatum, showed diverse responses to the dietary change. These results and another observation which was seen in an animal fed hay are discussed with regard to known nutritional requirements of each species. It is suggested that four species belonging to Entodinium, the genus hitherto not dealt with specifically, have different feeding habits. © 1969, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.