Chronological establishment of ciliate protozoa in rumen of “Mantiqueira” calves (Bos taurus L.) from Paraiba Valley, SP

Abstract

Five protozoa species (Entodinium sp, Diplodinium sp, Epidinium sp, Isotricha sp and Dasytricha sp) were counted per mililiter of rumen content in 115 “Mantiqueira” calves aged from 7 to 270 days. Entodinium sp was the first protozoan to establish itself, when the calves were 2 months old and the rumen pH was 4.22 ± 0.12, followed by Diplodinium sp and Epidinium sp that were established between 91 and 120 days old, in calves, with rumen pH of 5.75 ± 0.26. Isotricha sp was detected in caives from 121 to 150 days old, when pH was 5.98 ± 0.12. Dasytricha sp was counted in calves aged from 184 to 270 days with rumen pH of 6.75 ±0.06. It seems that in “Mantiqueira” calves ruminal protozoa are found earlier than in Holstein calves, although the development of these protozoa was slower than it has been known for Holstein calves.