Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forage level on bacterial protein recycling in the rumen by Fluorescence-Labeled Bacteria technique (FLB). Four Xuhuai goats with permanent cannulas were used in a 4x4 Latin squares and diets were divided into A (86.96), B (67.63), C (48.31) and D (28.99%) on the basis of forage level in diet. The results showed that rumen protozoal and bacterial populations were shifted heavily by diets (p<0.01) and C recorded the highest protozoal density while A demonstrated the lowest densities of protozoa and bacteria. Significant differences were detected in protozoa engulfing rates between groups (p<0.01) with the lowest value dropping in B. It was also observed that C had the highest bacterial turnover rate and the shortest recycling time. Further estimation of bacterial protein recycling quantity per day per goat resulting from protozoa predation showed that C interpreted the highest bacterial protein recycling quantity while B had a lower bacterial protein recycling quantity, accounted for just 68.2% of that of group C. Results obtained here indicated that diets containing 67.63% forage could curb the bacterial protein recycling in some degree by regulating protozoal biomass and their ingestion action.
M.Z. Wang, L.H. Yu, H.R. Wang and X. Liu, 2010. Effects of Forage Level in Diet on Bacterial Protein Recycling in Goat Rumen. Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 4: 10-15.