The effect of chemical defaunation on rumen bacterial, protozoal population and enzyme activities in the cattle and buffalo rumen.

The experiment was designed to study the duration of effectiveness of sodium lauryl sulphate on rumen microbial population and enzyme activities in a 4-factor RBD using 4 fistulated bullocks, rumen liquor samples were collected for counting number of bacteria and protozoa and for estimation of enzyme activities on first lath and 20th day of administration of sodium lauryl sulphate. The enzyme activity was determined in the rumen liquor samples collected at 4 hr post feeding, whereas the protozoal and bacterial population was counted in sample conected at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hr post feeding from defaunated and faunated animals. The bacterial population was significantly higher in defaunated animals and protozoa started reappearing on 20th day of de faun at ion. The bacterial and protozoal count did not differ significantly in cattle and buffalo bullocks. The carboxymethyl cellulase activity was higher in faunated animals, whereas, protease activity was significantly (P<0.05) higher in defaunated animal and amylase, xylanase and urease activity did not differ between faunatcd and defaunated animals.