Bacterial content in samples from different sites in the rumen of sheep and cows as determined in two culture media.

Samples of material from the rumen of cattle and of sheep were cultured in both Gall Broth (GB) and Reinforced Clostridium Medium (RCM). Samples were taken, at monthly intervals, from five sites in cattle and two sites in sheep in two series and, at weekly intervals, from two sites in cattle and in sheep in two series. Comparisons were made of the growth of organisms in the media, using the number of fertile tubes per set of six dilutions as a measure of the viable count. RCM gave a greater number of fertile tubes than GB with samples from cattle, but the reverse was the case with samples from sheep. Real differences in the number of fertile tubes from different sites in cattle were found at different times, but there was no consistent pattern. Simultaneous sampling from different sites in the rumen is, therefore, essential to provide an estimate of sampling error within animals. Although no site to site differences were detectable with rumen material from sheep, it is advisable to take more than one sample at a given time to assess sampling error.