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Occurrence of Protozoa in the Bovine Stomach¹

University of Florida, Gainesville

ABSTRACT

Digestion of feeds by cattle is accomplished mechanically, by enzyme action, by chemical reactions and through the activity of microorganisms, such as the bacteria and protozoa in the stomach (23). Some attention has been given to these protozoa, yet much remains to be learned concerning their kinds, distribution and acivity.

LITERATURE REVIEW

In 1834, Gruby and Delafond (11) observed large numbers of microorganisms, including ciliate infusoria, in the rumen and reticulum but only dead specimens or fragments in the omasum, obomasum and small intestines. Hastings (13) qouted estimates placing the volume of protozoa at 4.4 to 20.0 per cent of the rumen contents.

Becker and Talbott (6) listed 33 species of protozoa as having been identified in the rumen, with from 2 to 16 species present in single animals. Mangold (22) mentioned 19 species of protozoa obtained from the stomachs of cattle out of 33 reported for eight different ruminants.

¹ A joint contribution of the departments of Dairy Husbandry and Biology. Approved for publication by the director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.