Study on the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract and rumen ecology of Formosan Reeves' muntjac
Date Issued
2005
Date
2005
Author(s)
Ang, Sow-Ling
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the rumen ecology and feed digestion in Formosan Reeves’ muntjac（Muntiacus reevesi micrurus）. We also observed the effect of captive environment on animal digestive physiology by comparing the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract and tissue samples of ruminal papillae between captive and wild muntjac.
In experiment I, the rumen fluid of female muntjacs was taken through a stomach tube at 4 hours after feeding for further analysis. The items analyzed include pH value, concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA), counts of rumen bacteria and protozoa. In experiment II, we measured the length of intestinal tract of muntjac and observed gastrointestinal characteristics of it which was dissected; a portion of ruminal papillae was cut off for tissue sample. In Experiment III, we analyzed the feed digestibility ration of captive muntjac and compositions of nutrients in captive muntjac rumen and abomasum content which are correlated to muntjac feeding type and living environment.
Results reveal that the pH value of rumen fluids of captive muntjac ranges between 6.1∼6.8 and the concentration of VFA is lower than that of the domestic animal. The rumen bacteria count is between 0.03∼120.33 x 107 colony counts / ml rumen fluids. There is positive correlation among the quantity of total bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and amylolytic bacteria. The percentage of Isotrichidae’s quantity among all protozoa is lower than 30%, whereas the quantity of Ophryoscolecidae is greater than 70%.
The morphology of ruminal papillae between captive muntjac and wild muntjac showed distinct difference and the length of small intestinal tract tends to be longer than that of the wild. The muntjac had better digestibility on crude protein (CP), acid-detergent fiber (NDF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE). The CP, NDF, NFE and acid-detergent fiber of rumen content between captive and wild muntjac were similar whereas EE was higher in captive muntjac.
In conclusion, the pH value of rumen fluid was within normal ranges, and the quantity of rumen bacteria is lower than that of the domestic ruminants, resulting in lower concentration of VFA in captive muntjac. Furthermore, study indicates that small Ophryoscolecidae is the major protozoa species in the rumen. The ratio of intestinal length to body length is approximately 13.9∼15.1 which is similar to concentrate selector. Finally, the morphology of ruminal papillae showed significant difference between captive and wild muntjac which could be related to the diets that stimulate the growth of papillae.
Subjects
胃腸道
瘤胃生態
gastrointestinal tract
rumen ecology
Type
thesis
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