War of the inner world

War of the inner world

Where creatures lurk…

…with delicious terror yet form and function so sublime …

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…creatures beyond our wildest imagining…

Welcome to:Welcome to:

The world of animal The world of animal science…science…

……an inner world an inner world of war…of war…

..dwelling within the humble ruminant

Cellulolytic microbes break down grass

Ruminant digestion: the most advanced in the solar systemFour compartments to ruminants stomach1. Rumen (pH 7) - fermentation vat - host to microbes

2. Reticulum - mixes, filters large particles

3. Omasum - removes water

4. Abomasum (true stomach) - pH 2 - same as human stomach

Rumen

Reticulum

Omasum

Abomasum (true stomach)

Rumen function: Mutualism

• Bugs supply VFA and microbial protein

• Byproducts: CO2, CH4 and NH4+

• Animal supplies 5 star accommodation

Rumen bacteria

• World population = 6.5 billion = 6.5 x 109

= 6 500 000 000• Bacteria in 1 drop of rumen fluid = 1 x 1011

= 100 000 000 000

Rumen bacteria

• Cellulolytic - digest cellulose

• Amylolytic - digest starch

• Proteolytic - digest protein

• Acid utilising

The big issues of animal production

• Methane production

• Antibiotics in feed

protozoan

methanogen

Methane

• Defaunation (sweeping Defaunation (sweeping

protozoa)protozoa)

• Ionophoric antibioticsIonophoric antibiotics

• VaccineVaccine

• Fish-oil, tanninsFish-oil, tannins

Methane inhibition

How much antibiotics do we use?

• Total use: 700 Tonnes per year

• Humans: 250 Tonnes per year

• Veterinary: 50 Tonnes per year

• Stock feed: 400 Tonnes per year

JETACAR report, 1999

Gram + Gram -

Peptidoglycan

Membrane

Peptidoglycan

Membrane

Periplasm

Lipopolysacharide & protein

Antibiotics as growth promoters

• Voluntary European ban in 2005

• USA & Australia expected to follow

• Need to find safe alternatives

Reduce pollution

Improved welfare & production Conserve biodiversity

Reduce antibiotic dependency

Altered rumen fermentation

Less methane

Less ammonia

Bloat control

Acidosis control

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plants

Improveproduct quality

Is Australian flora antimicrobial on selected

species of bacteria?

Where the research is at1. Screening Australian plants in vitro

2. Inhibition on pure cultures

3. Molecular quantification -DGGE, Real-time PCR

4. In vivo feed trial

Questions for the modern scientist

Can we;

• Improve rumen efficiency?

• Reduce environmental pollutants?

• Reduce dependence on antibiotics?

• Maintain consumer-safe production?

Can we understand the war of the inner world?

• Bioenergetics of animal production• Microbiology• Underlying chemistry• Molecular quantification• Application of science • Careers in animal production

Why are bugs important in animal production?

• Rumen fermentation• Manufacturing of dairy products• Soil Health• Disease• Silage• Bioremediaton of farm waste

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Silage

Bioremediation of farm waste

• Recycling animal excreta & crop residues

• Agriculture provides 15% of land photosynthetic biomass

• Animal excreta 1.5 billion T/yr (USA)

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Cheese