Probiotic microorganisms in the rumen of calves

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the sequential population of different species of microbial populations in the rumen of calves. The first bacteria that developed most intensively in the stomach were Escherichia coli and streptococci. The number of Escherichia coli was high in one-day-old calves and gradually decreased and reached a stable level within 6-8 weeks. The number of streptococci was high for 8 weeks after birth and decreased in ten-week-old calves. The number of lactobacilli, which was high in one-day-old calves, increased in two-week-old calves, and then remained unchanged. Amylolytic bacteria are present in excess in day-old calves. The number, which increased in three-day-old animals, and then remained unchanged. The number of sulfate-reducing bacteria, lactate, xylan fermenters, and pectin fermenters, which were low in day-old calves, increased for 3 days after birth and then remained unchanged. Cellulosolytic bacteria, which began to appear in animals at the age of 3-5 days, began to increase in calves aged 2-3 weeks. The methanogenic bacteria that were present in calves aged 1-2 weeks became numerous when the animals were approximately 3 weeks old. The composition of the anaerobic bacterial population in the total stomach of the calf changed with age after birth. The content of dominant bacteria in the stomach of the calf at the age of 1 day and 10 weeks was similar to the composition of mature cattle. The composition of volatile fatty acids (LFA) in the stomach of calves changed with age after birth. The settlement of protozoa was observed in calves aged 8 to 10 weeks. Most of the components of feed entering the body of ruminants are not directly available to them. Food is broken down into volatile fatty acids (LFA), such as acetic, propionic and other fatty acids under the action of enzymatic activity of microorganisms present in the stomach. Fatty acids are absorbed and oxidized by animals to meet its energy needs.