Comparative rumen fermentation and microbial characteristics of Surti buffalo calves supplemented with different yeast derivatives

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 21 apparently healthy Surti young buffalo female calves aged (6-12 months) divided into 3 groups of 7 each categorized as group I (control), group II (supplemented with rumen specific yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 @ 4x109 cfu/animal/day and group III (supplemented with selenoyeast-inactivated yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing selenomethionine ensuring dietary inclusion of selenium @ 0.3 ppm). Rumen liquor (5 ml) was collected at day 0 of study (beginning), day 45 and day 90 of study (end) and analysis for rumen parameters (pH, total volatile fatty acids concentration, concentration of ammonia-nitrogen concentration, protozoal motility, enumeration of ruminal protozoa (entodiniomorphs and holotrichs) and bacteria was done. At day 90 of study, group II had significantly (P≤0.01) high pH as well as TVFA of rumen liquor both between as well as within the group. Within group II the ammonia-nitrogen content was significantly (P≤0.05) low at day 90 with respect to day 0. Rumen liquor of group II animals at day 45 and 90 presented significantly (P≤0.01) higher scores of protozoal motility within the group. Rumen liquor of group II animals contained significantly (P≤0.05) high protozoa concentration at day 90 between groups. Within groups at day 45 and 90 protozoa concentration were similar however within group II it significantly (P≤0.01) increased from day 45 to day 90 of study. Group II at day 90 also possessed significantly high entidiniomorph% both between (P≤0.01) and within (P≤0.05) the groups. Group II calves had significantly (P≤0.05) low holotrichs % at day 90. Ruminal bacterial count in rumen liquor was significantly (P≤0.01) highest in group II animals at day 45 between the groups. The effects of selenoyeast supplementation were moderate and better than control. Thus it was concluded from the present study that dietary supplementation of Rumen specific yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077) in female Surti buffalo calves improves rumen fermentation parameters, enhances production of favourable rumen metabolites and optimizes rumen microbial profile. Its effect is better than selenoyeast supplementation.