Morphological Particularities of Population of Rumen Protozoa in Domestic Ruminants

摘要

Introduction: Rumen is a complex ecosystem in which food consumed by ruminants is digested by symbiotic microorganisms. Fermentations result at this level is volatile fatty acids and microbial biomass, which are used by the host as a nutrient substrate. Between ruminal microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa and fungi) and host are diverse interactions (adaptability and symbiosis) which provides advantages in the ability of ruminant digestion. Aims: The main objectives of this study were: development of new methods of fixing, staining and identification of rumen protozoa; morpho-physiological characterization of rumen protozoa subfamilies and genera; investigations of the structure of rumen protozoa populations in domestic ruminants. Materials and methods: Sampling of investigated animals (5 cattle, 5 sheep, and 5 goats) was collected by of ruminal survey method. Rumen fluid was preserved in formalin (18.5%) and MFS (Methyl green-formalin-sodium chlorate). Examination of samples was achieved by performing the native method and stained preparations and then exposed under a microscope (optical and confocal). Criteria for identification of protozoa were: number and location of ciliary areas; cell shape and size; location, number and size of skeletal plates; presence of caudal spines. Results: Rumen protozoa counting results revealed different mean values ??for the three ruminant species, the highest levels were recorded in goats (7.39 x 106/ml rumen fluid ), followed by cattle (4,958 x 106/ml rumen fluid) and sheep, with much lower averages (1,814 x 106/ml rumen fluid). Conclusion: The analysis of rumen protozoa population identified in cattle, sheep and goats revealed predominance following genres: Isotricha , Dasytricha , Entodinium , Epidinium , Ophryoscolex and some types of subfamily Diplodiniinae ( Diplodinium , Eudiplodinium , Poliplastron ).