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The degradation of plant cell walls by ruminants is of major economic importance in the developed as well as the developing world. Rumen fermentation and degradation of cell wall relies on the cooperation between the microorganisms that produce fibrolytic enzymes and the host animal, which provides an anaerobic fermentation chamber. From the 19th century, the efficiency with which the rumen microbiota degrades fibre has been the subject of extensive research. In this chapter, we will discuss various proteomic approaches such as protein fractionation (chromatography, isoelectric focusing), protein separation (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), in-gel digestion to peptides (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, mass spectrometry or electrospray mass spectrometry), peptide separation (two-dimensional liquid chromatography), complex protein solution digestion to peptides (electrospray ionization or MALDI-tandem MS) and proteomics of fibrolytic bacteria, which can be used to improve our knowledge of the functional framework of plant cell wall degradation in the rumen.

Background: Environmental stress and transition period in buffaloes imposes significant changes in hemato-biochemical parameters. On this background the present study was attempted to evaluate biochemical parameters in transition buffaloes during summer and winter seasons. Methods: Thirty six advanced pregnant and non-pregnant Murrah buffaloes of around 5 years of age were randomly selected. Whole blood was collected from twelve buffaloes each in their transition period during winter and summer season for a period of five weeks and six non pregnant buffaloes for each season served as control. Haematological, biochemical parameters were estimated and THI was calculated in both the seasons. Result: The mean THI, TEC, Hb, MCH, MCHC, SOD activity and MDA levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in summer compared to winter, while MCV and GSH activity was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in winter compared to summer. No significant (p greater than 0.05) difference between seasons was observed with respect to TLC, monocyte and lymphocyte per cent. Moreover, Hb, SOD, GSH and MDA concentration differed significantly (p less than 0.05) throughout the transition period during summer and winter seasons, while TEC, MCV, MCH and MCV concentration did not change (p greater than 0.05) with transition period in both the seasons. The present study indicated that summer season had profound effect on hemato-biochemical parameters. While SOD, GSH and MDA could be used as markers of transitional stress in Murrah buffaloes.