Studies on the bacterial predation rate by rumen protozoa were carried out under laboratory conditions using a technique of fluorescence-labeled bacteria （FLB）. Four Xuhuai goats were used in this experiment to obtain rumen protozoa and bacteria. Two groups were designed as follows： One group was the whole bacteria which were labeled using fluorescence through removing free bacteria from rumen fluid （WFLB）; the other group was the bacteria which were labeled using fluorescence without removing free bacteria from rumen fluid （FLB）. The result indicated that the bacterial predation rates of rumen protozoa was 398.4 cells/（cell h） for the group WFLB, 230.4 cells/（cell h） for the group FLB, when the corresponding values expressed as bacteria-N, they were 2.15 pg N/（cell h） for the group WFLB, and 1.24 pg N/（cell h） for the group FLB, respectively. Extrapolating the assimilation quantity of nitrogen by ciliates on bacteria of Xuhuai goat, there were 103.2 mg N/（d capita） for the group WFLB, and 59.5 mg N/（d capita） for the group FLB, respectively. It was estimated that protein losses due to microbial recycling were 0.645 g pro/（d capita） for the group WFLB and 0.372 g pro/（d capita） for the group FLB, respectively. In addition, the fluorescence-labeled technique would be a potential assay for the determination of bacterial predation rate by rumen protozoa.
WANG Meng-zhiWANG Hong-rongLI Guo-xiangCAO Heng-chunLU Zhan-jun
Three goats fitted with cannula were used to provide rumen liquor to investigate the effects of limiting amino acids on rumen fermentation and microbial community in vitro. The removal method was used in the current experiments. Treatments are total essential amino acid （TEAA）, His-removal, Lys-removal, Met-removal, and branch chain amino acid （BCAA）- removal. Results indicated that, pH-value ranged between 5.9 and 6.8, with the highest mean value for the group with BCAA-removal （6.54） in the culture. Concentration of NH3-N ranged between 10.99 to 30.51 mg 100 mL^-1, with the group of TEAA recording the highest average NH3-N concentration （17.85 mg 100 mL^-1）. Yields of microbial protein and limiting degree on microbial growth varied with treatments （P 〈 0.01）, and the lowest accrued in treatment with BCAA-removal （0.1389, 0.1772, and 0.3161 mg mL^-1 for bacteria, protozoa, and mixed microbes, respectively）, compared to the group with TEAA, microbial production of mixed microbes decreased by 44.52%. As for micro-flora, protozoa to bacteria ratio was the lowest for the group with Lys-removal （89.12%）, while the highest for the group with BCAA-removal （127.60%） （P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, PCR-SSCP analysis revealed that, microbial profile subjected to substrates within bacteria and protozoa groups. It was therefore concluded that, dietary amino acid influenced both rumen fermentation and microbial characteristics.
WANG Meng-zhi WANG Hong-rong CAO Heng-chun LI Guo-xiang ZHANG Jie
