Ecological Factors Determining Establishment of Cellulolytic Bacteria and Protozoa in the Rumens of Meroxenic Lambs

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Abstract
Ecological factors that control the establishment of cellulolytic bacteria and ciliate protozoa in the lamb rumen were studied in meroxenic animals. Axenic lambs received dilutions of rumen liquor from conventional lambs and sheep (pool A) or meroxenic lambs (pool B). The total number of bacteria established in the rumen was between 109-5 .times. 1010 g-1. In lambs inoculated with dilutions (10-6, 10-7, 10-8) of pool A, cellulolytic bacteria did not become established. Subsequent inoculation with Bacteroides succinogenes resulted in colonization in lambs that had received 10-6 and 10-7 dilutions of pool A. B. succinogenes became established in only 1 of 3 lambs that received the 10-8 dilution. Similar results were obtained for the protozoan Entodinium sp. With pool B, lambs were inoculated earlier and cellulolytic bacteria were established directly from the 10-6 and 10-7 inocula. Polyplastron multivesiculatum establishment occurred readily when inoculated into the lambs which had received the 10-6 dilution of pool B. Apparently establishment of cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa requires an abundant and complex flora, and is favored by early animal inoculation.