Grain overload in cattle and sheep: changes in microbial populations in the cecum and rumen

Samples from the rumen and cecum of cattle and sheep were cultured to determine changes in microbial populations resulting from overfeeding with grain. Before the animals were overfed, the predominant organisms from both sides were those that grew anaerobically on a relatively nonselective ruminal fluid medium and would not grow on selective mediums designed to culture lactobacilli, streptococci, coliforms, or Clostridium perfringens. By 24 hours after overfeeding, lactic acid bacteria had increased in numbers so that they were the most numerous organisms in both the rumen and the cecum. The concentrations of coliforms and C perfringens also increased after overfeeding and were generally higher in the cecum than in the rumen.