Microbial manipulation of rumen fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as probiotics

The effect of oral feeding of yeast cell suspension (Saccharomyces cerevisi ae) on feed intake, growth performance and nutrient utilization was evaluat ed in six calves of 15-weeks age. The animals were divided into two groups, control and experimental on the basis of body weight. All the calves were fed concentrate mixture and green grass ad lib, The yeast cell suspension w as fed to calves in the experimental group @ 2x10(9) CFU/head/day for 105 d ays. The average daily live weight gain, dry matter, crude protein and crud e fibre digestibility were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in t he experimental group. The rumen bacteria and protozoa population were also found to be higher in the experimental group. The incidence of calf diarrh oea was reduced due to feeding of S. cerevisiae in the experimental group w hen compared to control. The results indicated that there are beneficial ef fects of oral feeding of yeast cell suspension in the growth performance of calves.