Enumeration of Cellulolytic Cocci in Sheep Rumen by Using a Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY Strains of Ruminococcus albus were isolated from sheep fed lucerne chaff once daily. Antisera to these bacteria were prepared in rabbits and labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. A specific labelling reagent was produced from these conjugates by chromatography on Sephadex G-25 and two absorptions with mouse liver powder. The Breed smear technique was adapted for counting fluorescent cocci. Background fluorescence in rumen fluid samples was controlled by making suitable dilutions. A sample taken 10 hr after feeding had a mean value of 5-76 (s.E. 1-16) x lo6 cocci/ml. Samples taken from different parts of the rumen at the same time showed random but significant variation in the number of fluorescent cocci/ml. The natural fluorescence of some particles of digesta was bright enough to obscure the specific fluorescence and attempts were made to release fluorescent cocci by homogenization; this was partially successful, and the average ratio of un- treated to homogenized counts was 1 : 1-17. Diurnal variations in the number of cellulolytic cocci were followed over a 4-day period. Minimum numbers were recorded 6 hr after feeding and maximum numbers 18 hr later. There was a measurable day-to-day variation.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: