[The effect of cadmium on indicators of rumen fermentation and their levels in biological material in sheep].

The experiment was carried out with three groups, each consisting of six adult sheep of the Merino breed weighing 40-45 kg, fed with the diet composed of 1 kg of meadow hay and an addition of 0.2 kg of barley meal for 3 weeks before the experiment. The first group - the control - was provided the natural supply 0.09 mg Cd/kg DM of the diet, the supply of Ist experimental group was increased by 5 mg Cd/kg DM and of the IInd experimental group by 10 mg Cd/kg of diet DM in the form of sulphate. The influence of mentioned cadmium doses on levels of volatile fatty acids, their energetic yield and proportion of their energy and energy of methane and bacterial mass from the energy of fermented feed hexose, as well as the total number of infusoria and number of infusoria of Entodinium sp. in the ruminal fluid of sheep with an increased supply of cadmium were examined during seven weeks. In addition to that cadmium contents in the liver, kidneys, muscles, excrements and ruminal fluid was investigated. Obtained results indicate that yet a lower supply of cadmium amounting to 5 mg and 10 mg/kg DM of the sheep diet, had significant negative influence (Tab. I) on the production of isobutiric acid in rumen fluids and decreased significantly (Tab. III) the total counts of infusoria and number of Entodinium sp. infusoria in the rumen fluids of sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)