Rumen Microbial Numbers in Lambs as Affected by Level of Feed Intake and Dietary Diethylstilestrol

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Abstract
Eight wether lambs were used to study the possible, changes in rumen microbial numbers associated with feeding the same ration at levels equal to either 1.0 or 1.8 times their daily maintenance energy requirement. Diethylstilbestrol, fed at levels of 0 or 4 mg per animal per day, was also included as a variable. All lambs were subjected to all treatments, using a 4 × 4 latin square, extra period design. Decreases of 11.8% in total numbers of rumen ciliate protozoa, 28.4% in rumen ammonia nitrogen levels and 20.5% in plasma urea nitrogen levels were observed with the 1.8 times maintenance energy intake. In contrast, total viable anaerobic rumen bacterial numbers and growth rate were increased by 19.3 and 83.7%, respectively. None of the above parameters were affected by including DES in the ration. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science.

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