Influence of intoxication with organophosphates on rumen bacteria and rumen protozoa and protective effect of clinoptilolite-rich zeolite on bacterial and protozoan concentration in rumen

The effect of O-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl) methylthiophosphonate on rumen bacteria and rumen protozoa was investigated in sheep (after premedication with clinoptilolite-rich zeolite and without that premedication). In control animals a decrease in the total concentration of rumen protozoa was observed 3-7 d after intoxication (particularly in small and large ones). In clinoptilolite-rich-zeolite-treated animals only a slight decrease in protozoan numbers occurred during the first hours after the intoxication. Similarly, in every category of rumen bacteria marked differences between the groups were recorded, particularly in concentration of lipolytic bacteria. The results suggest some protective effect of clinoptilolite-rich zeolite for rumen microbiota against the organophosphate poison.