Ruminal ciliate protozoa of cattle and buffalo fed on diet supplemented with monensin or extracts from propolis

Abstract

^{The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of diets supplemented with monensin or with extracts of propolis, on the population of ciliate protozoa in the rumen of cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Four Holstein cattle and four Murrah buffalo, fistulated in the rumen, were distributed in 4x4 Latin square design. The diet was constituted by 50% corn silage and 50% concentrate based on corn grain and soybean meal, and the supplementation of monensin sodium or propolis extracts LLOSA2 or LLOSC1. Samples of ruminal contents were collected two hours after feeding. The genus Entodinium was the most common in all treatments for both cattle and buffalo. The LLOSC1 treatment reduced the populations of the genus Entodinium in buffalo. Monensin sodium and LLOSA2 reduced protozoa of the genera of the Diplodiniinae subfamily in buffalo. The average concentration of ciliates was higher in buffalo (56x104 mL-1) than in cattle (26x104 mL-1). There was ruminal pH increase in cattle treated with monensin. The LLOSC1 propolis extract reduced rumen ciliates in buffalo.}