The effect of chemical defaunation on rumen bacterial, protozoal population and enzyme activities in the cattle and buffalo rumen

The experiment was designed to study the duration of effectiveness of sodiu m lauryl sulphate on rumen microbial population and enzyme activities in a 4-factor RED using 4 fistulated bullocks, rumen liquor samples were collect ed for counting number of bacteria and protozoa and for estimation of enzym e activities on first 10th and 20th day of administration of sodium lauryl sulphate. The enzyme activity was determined in the rumen liquor samples co llected at 4 hr post feeding, whereas the protozoal and bacterial populatio n was counted in sample collected at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hr post feeding from defaunated and faunated animals. The bacterial population was significantly higher in defaunated animals and protozoa started reappearing on 20th day of defaunation. The bacterial and protozoal count did not differ significan tly in cattle and buffalo bullocks. The carboxymethyl cellulase activity wa s higher in faunated animals, whereas, protease activity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in defaunated animal and amylase, xylanase and urease activ ity did not differ between faunated and defaunated animals.