The role of Eudiplodinium maggii in starch metabolism in the rumen

Amylolytic activity was examined in the rumen of three Polish Merino sheep that were ciliate-free or refaunated with Eudiplodinium maggii. The rate of reducing sugars release from starch by the enzymes extracted from rumen di gesta of defaunated and refaunated sheep was 7.1-14.2 and 8.7-19.5 muM/g DM digesta/min, respectively. A significant increase in amylolytic activity w as observed after feeding, regardless of the presence or absence of ciliate s. Reducing sugars released from starch by enzymes extracted from the cells of Eudiplodinium maggii were about 161-183 muM/g protozoal DM/min. Neither protozoal activity nor numbers changed significantly after feeding (P <0.0 5). Ciliates readily ingested starch grains and 89% protozoa cells were fil led with this polysaccharide at 4 h after feeding. Only 6.5 and 8.9 g of 1, 4;1,6-alpha -D-glucan were found in the rumen 12 h after feeding defaunated and refaunated sheep, respectively. These values were equivalent to 10.8 a nd 14.7% starch present in ground barley given to animals in the ration.