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Comparative Cell Wall and Dry Matter Digestion in the Cecum of the Pony and the Rumen of the Cow Using in Vitro and Nylon Bag Techniques

Cornell University², Ithaca, NY 14853

Abstract

Differences in forage digestibility by ruminal and cecal microbes were studied using a nylon bag and in vitro techniques. The microbes were from a cow fed hay, from the cecum of a pony fed hay and from the cecum of a pony fed hay and grain. Digestibility of cell wall and dry matter digestibility of timothy hay, orchard grass, and wheat straw was greater when exposed to ruminal microbes than when exposed to cecal microbes for 24 to 48 hours. The digestibility of these forages was greater by the microbes from the hay adapted cecum than by microbes from the hay plus grain adapted cecum when the nylon bag method was used but not by the in vitro method. Alfalfa digestibility was similar in all microbial environments.

The ruminal microbes fermented all forages but alfalfa at a faster rate than did the cecal microbes. Rates of digestion by microbes from the hay adapted cecum and from the hay plus grain adapted cecum were similar.

¹ Present address: University of California, Department of Animal Science, Davis.

² Department of Animal Science.