Use of dietary tea seeds to manipulate the rumen ciliate protozoa population in sheep
2004
Ivan, M. | Entz, T.
Eighteen rumen cannulated sheep in three groups of six were supplemented with tea seeds at 0 (control), 3 or 6% of the dietary dry matter in a 22-d experiment. Rumen fluid samples were collected on 3 d before and on various days during the experiment. The concentration of protozoa in rumen fluid was not affected by the tea seed supplements (P > 0.05), but the numerical concentration of the Entodinium genera declined by 12% (P < 0.05) and that of cellulolytic protozoa increased by 90% (P < 0.05) due to the 6% tea seed supplement. The associated percentage in the rumen ciliate protozoa population of the cellulolytic protozoa increased (P < 0.05) and that of the Entodinium genera decreased (P < 0.05) due to the 6% supplement. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of the 3% tea seed supplement on the protozoa population parameters. Since ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected (P > 0.05) it was apparent that the tea seed supplements did not influence rumen fermentation. The positive effect of the 6% tea seed supplement on the ciliate protozoa population obtained in the present study was relatively modest. Because the seeds contain astringent properties, higher than 6% dietary supplements of tea seeds can be harmful to animals. It was therefore concluded that tea seeds are of no apparent value as an antiprotozoal dietary component in ruminant production.
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