Rumen Fluid from Slaughtered Animals: A Standardized Procedure for Sampling, Storage and Use in Digestibility Trials

Abstract

Digestibility trials need a viable rumen fluid as inoculum to degrade feeds. The variability of rumen fluid depends on the animal’s diet, while its viability is greatly influenced by the sampling and handling procedures. In this article, we present a replicable protocol for sampling the rumen fluid from slaughtered animals for in vitro digestibility trials. A detailed list of the tools and a step-by-step standardized procedure for the collection, storage and the transportation of the rumen fluid from the slaughterhouse to the laboratory is presented. We also describe a digestibility trial for establishing the maximum storage time of rumen fluid from sampling to its use. The results show that the rumen fluid, collected and maintained according to the proposed protocol, can be stored and used from 30 to 300 min from sampling without significantly compromising the fermentative activity of the microbial population.

Prokaryote Composition and Structure of Rumen Fluid before and after In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

“…The source of rumen fluid and replication of the in vivo conditions in in vitro fermentation are the key components to overcome the challenging steps involved in in vitro rumen fermentation. The source of rumen fluid can be from live animals fed production [24] or maintenance rations [7], rumen fluid from slaughterhouses [25], or frozen rumen fluid [26,27]. Henderson et al [28] reported that the core microbiome in vivo is conserved across geographical regions no matter the species or feed; however, the relative abundances of the microbes vary with the diet and the ruminant species.…”

Efficacy of Salvia officinalis Shrub as a Sustainable Feed Additive for Reducing Ruminal Methane Production and Enhancing Fermentation in Ruminants

“…The slaughter of the animals was carried out following the animal welfare regulations. The rumen contents were collected considering the standardized procedure for sampling, storage, and use of ruminal contents recommended by Fortina et al [ 21 ]. All required consent for the procurement of fluid from slaughtered animals for research purposes was obtained from the slaughterhouse.…”

Forages and pastures symposium: an update on in vitro and in situ experimental techniques for approximation of ruminal fiber degradation

“…In lieu of ruminally fistulated animals, several authors have proposed collecting rumen fluid from recently harvested animals to obtain inoculum ( Chaudhry, 2008 ; Tassone et al, 2014 ; Sarnataro and Spanghero, 2020 ; Garcia et al, 2021 ; Fortina et al, 2022 ). Chaudhry (2008) was among the first to propose the use of fluid from recently harvested animals and found that DM disappearance was within reasonable limits but cautioned that the pre-harvest feeding regime played a significant role in the viability of the inoculum.…”

“… Chaudhry (2008) was among the first to propose the use of fluid from recently harvested animals and found that DM disappearance was within reasonable limits but cautioned that the pre-harvest feeding regime played a significant role in the viability of the inoculum. Fortina et al (2022) attempted to standardize the procedure for obtaining inoculum from harvested cattle and found that fluid could be stored for up to 300 min so long as anaerobic conditions and temperature were controlled.…”