Establishment of Bacteroides succinogenes and measurement of the main digestive parameters in the rumen of gnotoxenic lambs
We attempted to determine the degree of diversification of the microflora that allow the establishment of Bacteroides succinogenes S85 in the rumen of gnotoxenic lambs. Four lambs (group I) received an inoculum orally, composed of 182 noncellulolytic bacterial strains (inoculum 1) previously isolated from the rumen of conventional young lambs. Two lambs (group II) were inoculated with 32 strains (inoculum 2) selected among the 182 strains of inoculum 1. Two lambs (group III) received an inoculum (inoculum 3) composed of 106 noncellulolytic bacterial strains previously isolated from the rumen of meroxenic lambs. Two lambs (group IV) were inoculated with 16 strains (inoculum 4) chosen among the 106 strains of inoculum 3. All lambs were inoculated from birth except two lambs of group I, which were inoculated from 1 month of age. Each lamb then received orally a pure culture of B. succinogenes. This strain became established more easily in the rumen of lambs that had received complex inocula (group I). Its population reached a level close to that generally observed in conventional lambs (107–108 bacteria mL−1). In contrast, B. succinogenes became established in only one lamb of group II, but bacterial numbers varied considerably. In group III, repeated inoculations were necessary to obtain its definitive establishment (107–108 bacteria mL−1 after weaning). In spite of several inoculations, this cellulolytic species failed to establish in the rumen of lambs of group IV, which had received the less complex inoculum. The volatile fatty acid levels were very different from one lamb group to another. The more complex the inoculum administered to the animals, the higher the concentration. In those that received inoculum 1, the volatile fatty acid concentration was similar to that measured in conventional lambs fed the same diet (approximately 80 mmol L−1 after feeding). In lambs inoculated with only 16 strains there were almost no fermentations (30 mmol L−1 of volatile fatty acid). These results demonstrate that the establishment of cellulolytic bacteria, functions of the rumen, and the stability of the ecosystem depend on the complexity and diversity of the microflora. In the light of present knowledge, it is not possible to determine accurately the operative composition of the minimum flora enabling rumen development and function.