The Cultivation of Sheep Rumen Oligotrich Protozoa in vitro

Abstract

SUMMARY: Oligotrich protozoa from the sheep rumen, principally Entodinium caudatum, were maintained in culture in vitro and dividing every 2 days at a density of 15,000–30,000 protozoa/ml. for 18 months on a medium of rice starch, dried grass, 10% (v/v) rumen fluid (fresh or autoclaved) and 50 μg. chloramphenicol/ml. The effect on these organisms of varying each of these factors in turn and the use of different growth conditions is described. The protozoa have also been grown from an inoculum of 100’900/ml. to a density of over 50,000/ml. in 10 days.