Quantitative Studies of Digestion in the Reticulo-Rumen III. Fluctuations in the numbers of rumen protozoa and their possible role in bloat

R.T.J. Clarke

Plant Chemistry Division, DSIR, Palmerston North

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1965, 25: 96-107

The concentration and total numbers of protozoa and of individual species have been measured in cows fed on red clover, using samples and measurements obtained by the bailing technique. Results expressed on a concentration basis can give a misleading picture of the changes in protozoal numbers occurring during a feeding experiment. Holotrich numbers may fall during feeding and the occurrence of this fall appears to depend on the previous feeding. From these and other results it is suggested that fluctuations in protozoa in the rumen may be a factor in determining the bloat susceptibility of cattle.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;