Microorganisms in the rumen and reticulum of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fed two different feeding systems.
BACKGROUND
The community of microorganisms in the rumen and reticulum is influenced by feeding as well as the species and geographical distribution of ruminant animals. Bacteria, methanogenic archaea and ciliate protozoa existing in the rumen and reticulum were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and light microscopy in buffalo in two feeding systems, grazing and feedlot.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed in the total concentrations of bacteria/mL and archaea between rumen and reticulum, and between pasture and feedlots, or interactions between variables. However, the largest density of bacteria and smallest density of archaea was observed in the rumen of grazing animals. The total ciliates protozoa community was higher in grazing buffalo than those in the feedlot on a concentrated diet. There were significant interactions between location in the gastrointestinal tract (rumen vs reticulum) and types of diets (grazing vs feedlot) in the composition of ciliates.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed differences in the microbial community of the rumen and reticulum between grazing and feedlot feeding systems demonstrating relevant changes in the microorganism:host relationship existing on rumen-reticulum ecosystem.
Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13630900, Brazil.
Raul
R
Franzolin
School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA. adwright@email.arizona.edu.
André-Denis G
AD
Wright
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002020:Buffaloes; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D008297:Male; D064307:Microbiota / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012159:Reticulum / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012417:Rumen / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
Bacteria; Methanogenic archaea; Rumen protozoa