Abstract
There is little evidence of a truly random or haphazard behaviour within biological systems. The structures of these systems are usually complex and they have evolved to carry out a variety of functions that ensure the existence and propagation of any given species. In general, the function of a given part of a biological system will depend on the requirements of the system as a whole and this, of course, leads to tissue differentiation in complex organisms. If a particular part of a biological system is to accomplish a specific function, it must usually be separated from other parts of the system. In other words, it must have a boundary and thus constitute a compartment. Such a compartment cannot exist in isolation; it interacts with the enviroment and with other parts of a given biological system. A full understanding of the integrated physiological functions of organs and of their associated microbial populations can only be achieved in terms of the interrelations between different compartments.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the substantial contribution of J. W. Czerkawski (deceased) to this manuscript. His tireless dedication to the Rusitec concept has provided rumen ecologists around the world with an invaluable research tool.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abe, M. and Iriki, T. (1989). Usi no diaiichiinai zenmouchuu noudo no tokuina nisshyhendou to soreni kakawaru youin ni tuite. Proc. Jap. Soc. Anim. Nutr. Metabol., 33, 77–96.
Allen, M. S. and Mertens, D. R. (1988). Evaluating constraints on fiber digestion by rumen microbes. J. Nutr., 118, 261–70.
Bae, H. D., McAllister, T. A., Kokko, E. G. et al. (1997) Effect of silica on the colonization of rice straw by ruminal bacteria, Anim. Fd Sci. Technol. (in press).
Bauchop, T. (1979). The rumen ciliateEpidinium in primary degradation of plant tissues. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 37, 1217–23.
Beauchemin, K. A., McAllister, T. A., Dong, Y. et al. (1994). Effects of mastication on digestion of whole cereal grains by cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 72, 236–46.
Blanchart, G., Durand, M., Barry, J. L. et al. (1989). Interets et limites des fermenteurs a flux semi-continu de type Rusitec dans I’etude des fermentations du rumen. Ann. Zootech., 38, 285–314.
Bogaert, C., Gomez, L., Jouany, J. P. and Jeminet, G. (1989). Effects of the ionophore antibiotics lasalocid and cationomycin on ruminal fermentation in vitro (RUSITEC). Anim. Feed. Sci. Technol., 27, 1–15.
Bonhomme, A. (1990). Rumen ciliates: their metabolism and relationships with bacteria and their hosts. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 30, 203–66.
Briesacher, S. L., May, T., Grigsby, K. N. et al. (1991). Use of DNA probes to monitor nutritional effects on ruminal prokaryotes and Fibrobacter succinogenes S85. J. Anim. Sci., 70, 289–95.
Brink, D. R., Lowry, S. R., Stock, R. A. and Parrott, J. C. (1990). Severity of liver abscesses and efficiency of feed utilization of feedlot cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 68, 1201–7.
Brock, F. M., Forsberg, C. W. and Buchanan-Smith, J. G. (1982). Proteolytic activity of rumen microorganisms and effects of proteinase inhibitors. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 44, 561–9.
Cheng, K.-J. and Costerton, J. W. (1980). Adherent rumen bacteria: their role in the digestion of plant material, urea and epithelial cells. In Digestive Physiology and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. Y. Ruckebush and P. Thivend. MTP Press, Lancaster, pp. 227–50.
Cheng, K.-J. and Wallace, R. J. (1979). The mechanism of passage of endogenous urea through the rumen wall and the role of ureolytic epithelial bacteria in the urea flux. Br. J. Nutr., 42, 553–7.
Cheng, K.-J., Fay, J. P., Howarth, R. E. and Costerton, J. W. (1980). Sequence of events in the digestion of fresh legume leaves by rumen bacteria. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 40, 613–25.
Cheng, K.-J., Stewart, C. S., Dinsdale, D. and Costerton, J. W. (1983/84). Electron microscopy of bacteria involved in the digestion of plant cell walls. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 10, 93–120.
Cheng, K.-J., Forsberg, C. W., Minato, H. and Costerton, J. W. (1991). Microbial ecology and physiology of feed degradation within the rumen. In Physiological Aspects of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and R. Kawashima. Academic Press, Toronto, pp. 595–624.
Cheng, K.-J., McAllister, T. A., Mathiesen, S. D. et al. (1993). Seasonal changes in the adherent microflora of the rumen in high-arctic Svalbard reindeer. Can. J. Microbiol., 39, 101–8.
Cheng, K.-J., McAllister, T. A. and Costerton, J. W. (1995). Biofilms of the ruminant digestive tract. In Microbial Biofilms, ed. H. M. Lappin-Scott and J. W. Costerton. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 221–32.
Cherney, J. H. (1990). Normal and brown-midrib mutations in relation to improved lignocel-lulose utilization. In Microbial and Plant Opportunities to Improve Lignocellulose Utilization by Ruminants, ed. D. E. Akin, L. G. Ljungdahl, J. R. Wilson and P. J. Harris. Elsevier Science Publishing Company Inc., New York, pp. 205–14.
Craig, A. M. (1995). Detoxification of plant and fungal toxins by ruminant microbiota. In Ruminant Physiology: Digestion, Metabolism, Growth and Reproduction, ed. W. v. Engelhardt, S. Leonhard-Marek, G. Breves and D. Giesecke. Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 271–88.
Craig, W. M., Brown, D. R., Broderick, G. A. and Ricker, D. B. (1984). Polysaccharide levels of fluid and particulate microbes.Can. J Anim. Sci., 64 (Suppl.), 62–3.
Craig, W. M., Broderick, G. A. and Ricker, D. B. (1987). Quantitation of microorganisms associated with the particulate phase of ruminal ingesta. J. Nutr., 117, 56–62.
Czerkawski, J. W. (1980). Compartmentation in the rumen. Hannah Res. Inst. Rep., 69–85.
Czerkawski, J. W. (1983). Microbial fermentation in the rumen. Proc. Nutr. Soc., 43, 101–18.
Czerkawski, J. W. (1986a).Introduction to Rumen Studies. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp. 51–62.
Czerkawski, J. W. (1986b). A simple model to describe the flow of large and small particles in the rumen. InNuclear and Related Techniques in Animal Production and Health. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, pp. 485–99.
Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1970). Small scale apparatus for studying rumen fermentation in vitro. Lab. Practice, 19, 717–19.
Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1977). Design and development of a long-term rumen simulation technique (Rusitec). Br. J. Nutr., 38, 371–84.
Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1979a). Experiments with the long-term rumen simulation technique (Rusitec); response to supplementation of the rations. Br. J. Nutr., 42, 217–28.
Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1979b). Experiments with the long-term rumen simulation technique (Rusitec); use of soluble food and an inert solid matrix. Br. J. Nutr., 42, 229–45.
Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1982). Distribution and changes in urease (EC 3.5.1.5) activity in the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec).Br. J. Nutr., 47, 331–48.
Davies, D. R., Theodorou, M. K., Brooks, A. E. and Trinci, A. P. J. (1993). Influence of drying on the survival of anaerobic fungi in rumen digesta and faeces of cattle. FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 106, 59–64.
Faichney, G. J. (1993). Digesta flow. In Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism, ed. J. M. Forbes and J. France. CAB International, Wallingford, pp. 53–85.
Finlay, B. J., Esteban, G., Clarke, K. J. et al. (1994). Some rumen ciliates have endosymbiotic methanogens. FEMS Microbiol Lett., 117, 157–61.
Flint, H. J. and Forsberg, C. W. (1995). Polysaccharide degradation in the rumen: biochemistry and genetics. In Ruminant Physiology: Digestion, Metabolism, Growth and Reproduction, ed. W. v. Engelhardt, S. Leonhard-Marek, G. Breves and D. Giesecke. Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 43–70.
Fonty, G. and Joblin, K. N. (1991). Rumen anaerobic fungi: their role and interactions with other rumen microorganisms in relation to fiber digestion. In Physiological Aspects of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and R. Kawashima. Academic Press, Toronto, pp. 655–80.
Fonty, G., Gouet, P., Jouany, J. P. and Senaud, J. (1987). Establishment of the microflora and anaerobic fungi in the rumen of lambs. J. Gen. Microbiol., 133, 1835–43.
Forsberg, C. W., Beverage, T. J. and Hellstrom, A. (1981). Cellulose and xylanase release from Bacteroides succinogenes and its importance in the rumen environment. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 42, 886–96.
Gong, J. and Forsberg, C. W. (1989). Factors affecting adhesion of Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp.succinogenes S85 and adherence-defective mutants to cellulose. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 55, 3039–44.
Goplen, B. P., Howarth, R. E. and Lees, G. L. (1993). Selection of alfalfa for a lower initial rate of digestion and corresponding changes in epidermal and mesophyll cell wall thickness. Can. J. Plant Sci., 73, 111–22.
Hillman, K., Williams, A. G. and Lloyd, D. (1991). Evaluation of matrices in the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) for the maintenance of ciliate protozoa. Lett. Appl. Microbiol., 12, 129–32.
Ho, Y. W. and Barr, D. J. S. (1995). Classification of anaerobic gut fungi from herbivores with emphasis on rumen fungi from Malaysia. Mycologia, 87, 655–77.
Howarth, R. E., Cheng, K.-J., Majak, W. and Costerton, J. W. (1986). Ruminant bloat. In Control of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. L. P. Milligan, W. L. Grovum and A. Dobson. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. 516–27.
Huntington, G. B., Zetina, E. J., Whitt, J. M. and Potts, W. (1996). Effects of dietary concentrate level on nutrient absorption, liver metabolism, and urea kinetics of beef steers fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets. J. Anim. Sci., 74, 908–16.
Hyden, S. (1961). Determination of the amount of fluid in the reticulo-rumen of the sheep and its rate of passage to the omasum. Lantbr Hogsk. Annlr., 27, 51–79.
Kanoe, M., Imagawa, H., Toda, M. et al. (1976). Bacteriology of bovine hepatic abscesses. Jap. J. Vet. Sci., 38, 263–8.
Kennedy, P. M. and Milligan, L. P. (1980). The degradation and utilization of endogenous urea in the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants: a review. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 60, 205–21.
Krishna, G., Czerkawski, J. W. and Breckenridge, G. (1986). Fermentation of various preparations of spent hops (Humulus lupulus L.) using the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec). Agric. Wastes, 17, 99–117.
Kudo, H., Cheng, K.-J. and Costerton, J. W. (1986a). Electron microscopic study of the methylcellulose-mediated detachment of cellulolytic rumen bacteria from cellulose fibres. Can. J. Microbiol., 33, 267–72.
Kudo, H., Cheng, K.-J. and Costerton, J. W. (1986b). Interactions between Treponema bryantii and cellulolytic bacteria in the in vitro degradation of straw cellulose. Can. J. Microbiol., 33, 244–8.
Kung, L. Jr and Hession, A. O. (1995). Preventing in vitro lactate accumulation in ruminal fermentations by inoculation withMegasphaera elsdenii. J. Anim. Sci., 73, 250–6.
Legay-Carmier, F. and Bauchart, D. (1989). Distribution of bacteria in the rumen contents of dairy cows given a diet supplemented with soya-bean oil. Br. J Nutr., 61, 725–40.
Mansfield, H. R., Endres, M. I. and Stern, M. D. (1995). Comparison of microbial fermentation in the rumen of dairy cows and dual flow continuous culture. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 55, 47–66.
Mathison, G. W., Okine, E. K., Vaage, A. S. et al. (1995). Current understanding of the contribution of the propulsive activities in the forestomach to the flow of digesta. In Ruminant Physiology: Digestion, Metabolism, Growth and Reproduction, ed. W. v. Engelhardt, S. Leonhard-Marek, G. Breves and D. Giesecke. Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 23–41.
McAllister, T. A., Moustafa, S. M. S., Cheng, K.-J., et al. (1994a). Effect of salinomycin on fermentation and nitrogen metabolism in the artificial rumen. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 74, 575–8.
McAllister, T. A., Bae, H. D., Jones, G. A. and Cheng, K.-J. (1994b). Microbial attachment and feed digestion in the rumen. J. Anim. Sci., 72, 3004–18.
McAllister, T. A., Okine, E. K., Mathison, G. W. and Cheng, K.-J. (1996). Dietary, environmental and microbiological aspects of methane production in ruminants. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 76, 231–43.
Menke, K. H., Raab, L., Salewski, A. et al. (1979). The estimation of the digestibility and metabolizable energy content of ruminant feedingstuffs from the gas production when they are incubated with rumen liquor in vitro. J. Agric. Sci. (Camb.), 93, 217–22.
Merry, R. J. and McAllan, A. B. (1983). A comparison of the chemical composition of mixed bacteria harvested from the liquid and solid fractions of rumen digesta. Br. J. Nutr., 50, 701–9.
Minato, H., Endo, A., Ootomo, Y. and Uemura, T. (1966). Ecological treatise on the rumen fermentation. II. The amylolytic and cellulolytic activities of fractionated bacterial portions attached to the rumen solids. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol., 12, 53–69.
Mitsumori, M. and Minato, H. (1993). Purification of cellulose-binding proteins 1 and 2 from cell lysate of Fibrobacter succinogenes S85. J. Gen. Appl. Microbiol., 39, 361–9.
Morrison, M., Mackie, R. I. and Kistner, A. (1990). 3-Phenylpropanoic acid improves the affinity ofRuminococcus albus for cellulose in continuous culture. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 56, 3220–2.
Nocek, J. E. (1997). Bovine acidosis: implications in laminitis. J. Dairy Sci. (submitted).
Orpin, C. G. and Bountiff, L. (1978). Zoospore chemotaxis in the rumen phycomycete Neocallimastix frontalis. J. Gen. Microbiol., 104, 113–22.
Pell, A. N. and Schofield, P. (1993). Microbial adhesion and degradation of plant cell walls. In Forage Cell Wall Structure and Digestibility, ed. H. G. Hung, D. R. Buxton, R. D. Hatfield and J. Ralph. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI, pp. 397–423.
Pond, K. R., Ellis, W. C., Lascano, C. E. and Akin, D. E. (1987). Fragmentation and flow of grazed coastal bermudagrass through the digestive tract of cattle. J. Anim. Sci., 65, 609–18.
Roger, V., Fonty, G., Komisarczuk-Bony, S. and Gouet, P. (1990). Effects of physicochemical factors on the adhesion to cellulose avicel of ruminal bacteriaRuminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp.succinogenes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 56, 3081–7.
Russell, J. B. and Strobel, H. J. (1993). Microbial energetics. In Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism, ed. J. M. Forbes and J. France. CAB International, Wallingford, pp. 165–86.
Russell, J. B., Onodera, R. and Hino, T. (1991). Ruminal protein fermentation: new perspectives on previous contradictions. In Physiological Aspects of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and R. Kawashima. Academic Press, Toronto, pp. 681–97.
Schofield, P. and Pell, A. N. (1995). Measurement and kinetic analysis of the neutral detergentsoluble carbohydrate fraction of legumes and grasses. J. Anim. Sci., 73, 3455–63.
Skene, I. K. and Brooker, J. D. (1995). Characterization of tannin acylhydrolase activity in the ruminal bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium. Anaerobe, 1, 321–7.
Stewart, C. S., Dinsdale, D., Cheng, K.-J. and Paniagua, C. (1979). The digestion of straw in the rumen. In Straw Decay and its Effect on Disposal and Utilization, ed. E. Grossbard. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, pp. 123–30.
Stewart, C. S., Fevre, M. and Prins, R. A. (1995). Factors affecting fermentation and polymer degradation by anaerobic fungi and the potential for manipulation of rumen function. In Ruminant Physiology: Digestion, Metabolism, Growth and Reproduction, ed. W. v. Engelhardt, S. Leonhard-Marek, G. Breves and D. Giesecke. Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, pp. 251–70.
Susmel, P. and Stefanon, B. (1993). Aspects of lignin degradation by rumen microorganisms. J. Biotechnol., 30, 141–8.
Teather, R. M. and Sauer, F. D. (1988). A naturally compartmented rumen simulation system for the continuous culture of rumen bacteria and protozoa. J. Dairy Sci., 71, 666–73.
Theodorou, M. K. and France, J. (1993). Rumen microorganisms and their interactions. In Quantitative Aspects of Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism, ed. J. M. Forbes and J. France. CAB International, Wallingford, pp. 145–63.
Trinci, A. P. J., Davies, D. R., Gull, K. et al. (1994). Anaerobic fungi in herbivorous animals. Mycol. Res., 98, 129–52.
Ushida, K., Jouany, J. P. and Demeyer, D. I. (1991). Effects of presence or absence of rumen protozoa on the efficiency of utilization of concentrate and fibrous feeds. In Physiological Aspects of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and R. Kawashima. Academic Press, Toronto, pp. 625–54.
Van Milgen, J., Berger, L. L. and Murphy, M. R. (1993). An integrated dynamic model of feed hydration and digestion, and subsequent bacterial mass accumulation in the rumen. Br. J. Nutr., 70, 471–83.
Van Nevel, D. J. and Demeyer, D. I. (1977). Determination of rumen microbial growth in vitro from 32 P-labelled phosphate incorporation. Br. J. Nutr., 38, 101–14.
Wallace, R. J. (1994). Ruminai microbiology, biotechnology and ruminant nutrition: progress and problems. J. Anim. Sci., 72, 2992–3003.
Wallace, R. J., Cheng, K.-J., Dinsdale, D. and Ørskov, E. R. (1979). An independent microbial flora of the epithelium and its role in the ecomicrobiology of the rumen.Nature (Lond.), 279, 424–6.
Williams, A. G. and Strachan, N. H. (1984). Polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in microbial populations from the liquid and solid fractions of bovine rumen digesta. Can. J. Anim. Sci., 64(Suppl.), 58–9.
Wubah, D. A., Akin, D. E. and Borneman, W. S. (1993). Biology, fiberdigestion, and enzymology of anaerobic zoosporic fungi. Crit. Rev. Microbiol., 19, 99–155.
Yang, W. (1991). Etude cinetique de la colonisation microbienne des aliments dan le rume du mounton consequences sur la compartimentation de la biomasse et sur sa dynamique de sortie du rumen dans le cas de différents types de rations. Doctoral Thesis, University of Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Chapman & Hall
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cheng, KJ., McAllister, T.A. (1997). Compartmentation in the rumen. In: Hobson, P.N., Stewart, C.S. (eds) The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1453-7_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1453-7_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7149-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1453-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive