ProBovis

ProBovis is a concentrated source of viable strains of probiotic microorganisms and stimulants to achieve efficiency and production improvements in production ruminants forumlated for delivery via feeding and/or metered drinking water supplies.

Ruminant research has more clearly defined the positive effects and the criteria for selection of microorganisms as direct fed microbials. The most important criteria include:

• optimization of rumen fermentation for fungi
• survivability
• bile resistance
• intestinal adhesion

The rumen is the major part of the ruminant digestive system where the ingested feeds are fermented. Rumen fermentation is carried out by rumen bacteria, fungi and protozoa that all live in the same ecosystem. The extent of rumen microbial activity affects fiber digestion which is in turn highly correlated to animal feed intake. Normally, the faster the rumen fiber is digested the more feed the cattle will eat.

Optimization of rumen fermentation, including maximizing rumen fiber digestion and microbial synthesis while minimizing protein degradation, ammonia and methane production is a core aim for an effective probiotic. Different microbial activities result in different fermentation products and consequently affect animal production and feed utilization. For example, Bacteroides succinogenes ferments cellulose to produce formic, acetic and succinic acids that can be used by the host animal, while Methanobacterium ruminantium utilizes formate and hydrogen for production of methane which is a waste material. Certain strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can improve rumen fermentation, thereby increasing animal production.

The intestinal tract of a ruminant animal is the site of nutrient digestion and absorption. It is also the site for colonization by both beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. The microbial balance determines the host animal’s health status. In healthy animals, lactobacilli dominate the intestine with a population of >100,000 cfu/g and successfully suppress pathogenic activity. A residual flora of less than 0.01% of the total microbial population is composed of clostridia, staphylococci, pseudomonads, Proteus and yeasts of the Candida genus. Changes in this balance of microbial composition often occur and represent a major cause of digestive disturbance. This is frequently due to the development of Gram negative bacteria, particularly pathogenic E. coli strains. Farm animals are constantly subjected to physiological, management or environmental stresses including: pregnancy, freshening, feed changes, prevailing weather conditions and transportation. During times of stress pathogenic bacteria can overgrow the lactobacilli, thereby changing the normal intestinal microbial balance, resulting in host digestive disorders and upsets.

Therapeutic treatment of a sick animal with antibiotics or other drugs may remove all the microbes in the intestine and create a temporarily sterile digestive tract. Animals are extremely vulnerable to invasion by pathogenic organisms immediately after such therapeutic treatment. It has been shown that supplementing with certain strains of lactobacilli can help animals to resist stress and post-antibiotic problems. The strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus chosen for ProBovis was specifically selected for its positive attributes in this area.

ProBovis was developed to achieve:

• Optimization of rumen fermentation to improve animal performance.
     -   A strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified to achieve this aim by stimulating rumen function.
• Maintenance of GIT tract microbial balance to prevent intestinal upsets due to exposure to stress and antibiotic treatments.
     -   A strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus was identified as the component to achieve this aim.

Rumen Benefits of ProBovis Increases rumen total and cellulolytic bacteria Increases fiber digestion Stabilizes rumen pH Reduces rumen methane production Resistant to many antibiotics and ionophores Fully compatible with trace minerals. Intestinal Benefits of ProBovis Performance rapid growth rate short lag phase from reactivation high lactic acid production effective intestinal adhesion ideal carbohydrate fermentation profile Survivability good bile resistance high freeze drying survival rates excellent antibiotic resistance good long term stability		Stimulation of rumen microbial populations
		Effect of ProBovis on Cattle Performance

Storage

Probiotic products contain live microorganisms. These microbials are usually freeze-dried and in a dormant stage but their viability is very vulnerable to exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Under refrigeration conditions (c40°F) microbial metabolic activity is suspended thereby extending shelf life stability. ProBovis should be stored with care to ensure maximum effect.

ProBovis is packaged in units of 1500g and 6000g providing 300 and 1200 doses respectively of 5g per head per day.

For further information about ProBovis please click here.