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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1564v1 87/5/1664    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gérard-Champod, M. Articles by Alric, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gérard-Champod, M. Articles by Alric, M.

Enumeration of some cultivable bacterial groups and characterization of some abiotic parameters in the jejunoileal content of Prim’Holstein veal calves

M. Gérard-Champod^*,, S. Blanquet-Diot^*, L. Mazuranok and M. Alric^*

^* Equipe de Recherche Technologique Conception, Ingénierie et Développement de l’Aliment et du Médicament, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Clermont-Ferrand I, Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, Institut Fédératif de Recherche Santé 79, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63 001 Clermont-Ferrand, France PANCOSMA SA, Voie-des-Traz 6, C.P. 143, CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland

Monique.Alric{at}u-clermont1.fr

Abstract

A study was conducted to characterize the bacterial and biochemical composition of the jejunoileal content of veal calves and the effect of pre-slaughter fasting time. At 22 wk of age, 22 pre-ruminant Prim’Holstein calves fed milk replacer and pellets (mainly composed of corn) were slaughtered at 6, 12, or 24 h after their last meal. Chyme samples were collected from the jejuno-ileal compartment just after slaughter, and pH and redox potential were immediately measured. Culture-based methods were used to determine the concentrations of total anaerobic microflora, lactate-utilizing bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis group, Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Enterococci, and two potential pathogenic species, Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens. Concentrations of L-lactate, ammonia, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were determined on frozen samples. The biochemical composition (DM, total protein, lactose, galactose, glucose, minerals, amino acid profile, and fatty acid profile) of the jejunoileal content was determined only on samples from the 6 h-fasted group. Microflora concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in the 6 h-fasted group compared with the 12 and 24 h-fasted groups, involving a lower pH (P < 0.05) and higher lactate and SCFA concentrations, both linked directly to the fermentative state of the microorganisms. The 6 h-fasted group showed the lowest inter-animal variability in bacterial group levels, except for Cl. perfringens, which presented high inter-animal variability regardless of fasting time. At 6 h postprandial, the jejunoileal content of veal calves seemed to be in a stable state, allowing the creation of a database on its biochemical composition. This study is a key first step in the development of an in vitro system for modeling the jejunoileal ecosystem of veal calves. This model will provide a useful tool for assessing the effects of feed additives on intestinal microflora.

Key Words: biochemical composition • fasting time • fermentative metabolites • intestinal microflora • jejunoileum • veal calves