Attachment of horse cecal bacteria to forage cell walls.

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Abstract
The attachment of horse cecal bacteria to forage or grass cell walls and the degradation of the various plant tissues were investigated with transmission electron microscopy. Differences were observed in the manner of attachment with different morphological types of cecal bacteria degrading plant cell walls. Cocci appeared to be attached to plant walls via capsule-like substances. Many bacilli and cocci appeared to be attached via small amount of extracellular fibrous or slime material, but some bacilli did not possess extracellular substance. Other bacilli appeared to be adhering by conforming their bacterial shape to the shape of the plant cells walls. The cecal bacteria degraded leaves of Trifolium or Agropyron and straw material obtained from the horse cecum, in different manners. Bacteria colonized extensively mesophyll cells and intercellular spaces between these cells. The bacteria were also attached to lignified thick walls of schlerenchyma cells and of the vascular tissue of xylem. Location of the bacteria (cocci and bacilli) attached or near to the erosion areas suggested the action of extracellular enzymes. The presence of cecal bacteria with the capability of degrading lignified tissue represents an important biochemical function previously unknown in the cecal ecosystem.

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