The infl uence of a live culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the number of ciliates, activity of carboxymethylcellulose-(CMC), xylan-and starch-degrading enzymes, as well as the concentration of VFA in the rumen of two cows was examined. The animals were fed either hay and concentrate alone or supplemented with live yeast given at the rate of 5 g/d. It was found that the response of rumen fauna to yeast supplementation was related to the animal. The total protozoa and Entodinia counts increased signifi cantly only in one cow (P≤0.05). The number of protozoa from the genus Diplodinium remained unchanged (cow 1) or decreased signifi cantly (cow 2). Epidinia decreased in the rumen of both animals, while Isotrichidae did not change signifi cantly (P>0.05).The activity of CMC-ase and xylan-degrading enzymes varied between 7.2-9.4 and 108.3-130.0 μM released reducing sugars/g DM/h, respectively. The effect of yeast on the activity of fi brolytic enzymes was related to the host animal. CMC-ase decreased signifi cantly only in cow 2, while xylanase, in cow 1. The activities of starch-degrading enzymes as well as pH of rumen fl uid and volatile fatty acids were not affected by supplementation of cows with yeast.

The influence of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on the fibrolytic activity in rumen digesta and on total digestive tract nutrient digestibility in cows was examined in a 2 × 2 Latin square design. The animals were fed hay-concentrate diet alone or supplemented with yeast at the rate of 5 g/d. Addition of Sacchromyses cerevisiae decreased the activity of CMC-ase and xylanase when measured before feeding but had no effect on the diurnal variations in activity of these enzymes. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fibre, ADF and NDF was not affected.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of various forms of sunflower oil in the diet with protein degraded at different rates in the rumen on pancreatic juice secretion and activity. The experiment was conducted on 24 adult Corriedale rams weighing about 40 ± 1.5 kg, catheterized in the pancreatic and bile ducts and fistulated in the duodenum. The animals were fed diets consisting of meadow hay, potato starch, different degradable protein (casein or maize gluten, a source of zein) and different forms of sunflower oil (calcium salts, seeds and oil). It was stated that addition of various forms of fat to the diet did not significantly influence the secretion of pancreatic juice, regardless of the source of protein. However, sunflower seeds and oil used in the diet had a significant effect on bile secretion, protein content, proteolytic activity of trypsin and plasma lipid indices. No significant differences were observed in the lipolytic activity of the pancreatic juice, although lipase activity was higher when zein was used as the main protein source. It was concluded that dietary addition of certain combinations of protected or unprotected sunflower oil and different degradable protein may improve pancreatic activity and probably affect plasma lipid indices in sheep.

The aim of the study was to modify and evaluate the method of management of pancreatic juice and bile secretions in sheep in chronic experiment. Experiment was performed on 12 adult male Corriedale sheep of 54 ± 2.4 kg body weight, fi tted with two biomedical silicone catheters in the common bile duct according to the method described by Kato and Young (Kato et al., 1999) and our modifi cation duodenal cannula. Duodenal cannula was equipped with silicone valve in the basement part to prevent secretions backfl ow.Except the collection time, animals were freely moving in the individual pens and all secretions were returned to duodenum by means of constructed device. During all experimental treatments secretion volume of pancreatic juice was from 11.7 to 34.8 ml·h -1 . Modifi cation of Kato and Young method allows extending the period of animals use even up to more than 6 months. Moreover, it positively impacts animals welfare by reducing time spending in the metabolic cages, and saves labour expenses.