SEASONAL EFFECTS OF FEEDING ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE RUMINAL MUCOSA EPITHELIUM AND RUMINAL BACTERIA IN THE FALLOW-DEER (DAMA-DAMA L)

The multilayered epithelium of ruminal mucosa in fallow-deer was inves tigated in the course of four seasons of the year. A total of 16 anima ls was studied, with 4 individuals in each group. Except for winter wh en they were offered additional feed, the animals grazed. Excisions of ruminal mucosa were processed using the routine methods for electronm icrospical study. Cells of the multilayered epithelium were compared w ithin experimental groups (spring, summer, autumn, winter). Each layer of the epithelium consisted of typical cells (basal, parabasal, inter mediary, granular, transitional, keratinized). Intercellular spaces of different widths were found in individual layers and groups of animal s. The widest spaces were found in the basal layer in the groups sprin g and summer. Cytoplasmic projections of adjoining cells were connecte d by desmosomes. Mitochondria, indicators of metabolic processes, were most numerous in the basal and intermedial cells in animals studied i n the spring and summer. A continuous layer of transitional cells was found in summer and partially in spring. Ruminal bacteria were found t o adhere to the surface of keratinized cells and also among ther cells . It is concluded that the observed seasonal changes in ruminal mucosa of the fallow deer are a result of mucosal adaptation to various type s of diets.