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Applied and environmental microbiology1988; 54(8); 1946-1950; doi: 10.1128/aem.54.8.1946-1950.1988

Effects of an abrupt diet change from hay to concentrate on microbial numbers and physical environment in the cecum of the pony.

Abstract: Microbial numbers, pH, fluid volume, and turnover rate in the pony cecum were measured during an abrupt change from an all-forage to an all-concentrate diet, both fed at maintenance energy levels. Concentrate feeding resulted in increased (P less than 0.01) numbers of total viable anaerobic bacteria. The numbers of organisms growing on selective starch medium increased (P less than 0.01) when concentrate was fed, while numbers on xylan and pectin media decreased (P less than 0.025). Seven days after the diet change to concentrate, the number of bacteria growing on lactate medium increased (P less than 0.01), followed by a gradual decline. Cellulolytic bacteria occurred in low numbers, ranging from 1.1 x 10(4) to 4.4 x 10(4) per g of cecal contents. Feeding all concentrate decreased both the number of genera (P less than 0.01) and total protozoan numbers (P less than 0.01) in the cecum. Minimum cecal pH values of 6.4 and 5.8 were obtained when forage and concentrate, respectively, were fed, with the minimum pH occurring 6 h postfeeding. Dry-matter percentage of cecal contents followed a diurnal pattern which was the inverse of the pH curve. During forage feeding, the cecum contained an average of 2.2 liters (1.6 to 3.4 liters), which turned over 3.9 times per day. When concentrate was fed, cecal volume averaged 3.9 liters (0.6 to 8.6 liters), with a mean liquid turnover of 4.2 times per day. Microbial numbers and pH changes in the pony cecum associated with an abrupt change in diet from hay to concentrate resembled those which occur in the rumen under similar feeding conditions.
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Publication Date: 1988-08-01 PubMed ID: 3178206PubMed Central: PMC202784DOI: 10.1128/aem.54.8.1946-1950.1988Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper discusses an experiment which observed the effects on a pony’s gut microorganisms and physiological environment due to a quick switch from hay to concentrated diets. The study found that this change increases the number of certain kinds of bacteria, while decreasing others, and also influences pH levels and cecum fluid volume and turnover rate.

Microbial Changes

  • The research found that after changing from an all-forage diet (hay) to an all-concentrate diet, viable anaerobic (oxygen-less environment suited) bacteria numbers markedly increased.
  • Furthermore, bacteria that grown up on starch medium also increased in number with the shift to a concentrated diet while those on xylan and pectin media reduced.
  • Seven days following the diet shift to concentrate, bacterium growing on lactate medium increased, but then slowly decreased over time.
  • Another observation was that cellulolytic bacteria (those that can break down cellulose) had low presence in the gut, ranging from 1.1 x 10^4 to 4.4 x 10^4 per gram of cecal contents.
  • The study concluded that concentrate-consuming diet led to decrease in the amount of genera and total protozoan numbers (single-celled microbes) in the cecum, a pouch that forms the beginning of large intestine.

Physiological Changes

  • Changing from forage to concentrate diet also affected the pH levels in the cecum, with minimum pH values of 6.4 and 5.8 observed respectively.
  • Such pH changes align with the feeding pattern, i.e., the lowest pH recorded 6 hours after feeding.
  • Moreover, dry-matter percentage of cecal contents showed a diurnal pattern, meaning it followed a daily cycle, which occurred inversely to the pH curve.
  • During hay feeding, the cecum on average contained about 2.2 liters of fluid, which turned over almost 4 times a day. But, when switched to a concentrated diet, cecal volume increased to an average of 3.9 liters, and the liquid turnover rate slightly increased to 4.2 times per day.

Comparison with Rumen

  • The research concluded that the observed microbial number and pH variations in the pony cecum associated with an abrupt diet change from hay to concentrate exhibits similar patterns to those occurring under similar feeding conditions in the rumen, a part of the stomach in cows and other ruminant animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Goodson J, Tyznik WJ, Cline JH, Dehority BA. (1988). Effects of an abrupt diet change from hay to concentrate on microbial numbers and physical environment in the cecum of the pony. Appl Environ Microbiol, 54(8), 1946-1950. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.54.8.1946-1950.1988

Publication

Applied and environmental microbiology
ISSN: 0099-2240
NlmUniqueID: 7605801
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 8
Pages: 1946-1950

Researcher Affiliations

Goodson, J
  • Department of Animal Science, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Tyznik, W J
    Cline, J H
      Dehority, B A

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Feed
        • Animals
        • Bacteria, Anaerobic / growth & development
        • Bacteria, Anaerobic / metabolism
        • Carbohydrate Metabolism
        • Cecum / metabolism
        • Cecum / microbiology
        • Colony Count, Microbial
        • Dietary Proteins
        • Eukaryota / growth & development
        • Horses / metabolism
        • Horses / microbiology
        • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
        • Medicago sativa
        • Soybeans
        • Zea mays

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        This article includes 10 references
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        Citations

        This article has been cited 21 times.
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