Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #118243
Title: FACTORS THAT ALTER RUMEN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY

Author
item Russell, James
item RYCHLIK, J - CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2001
Publication Date: 5/1/2001
Citation: RUSSELL, J.B., RYCHLIK, J.L. FACTORS THAT ALTER RUMEN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY. SCIENCE. 2001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ruminant animals and ruminal microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship that facilitates fiber digestion, but domestic ruminants are frequently fed fiber-deficient rations that have an abundance of grain. When ruminants are fed fiber-deficient rations, physiological mechanisms of homeostasis are disrupted, ruminal pH declines, the microbial ecology is altered, and the animal is more susceptible to metabolic disorders and in some cases infectious disease.