The Uptake and Metabolism of Bacteria, Amino Acids, Glucose and Starch by the Spined and Spineless Forms of the Rumen Ciliate Entodinium caudatum

Abstract

SUMMARY: Spined and spineless forms of Entodinium caudatum were obtained by growth in vivo in the presence and absence, respectively, of Entodinium bursa. Washed suspensions of both forms engulfed all the bacteria tested although the spined form took them up 1·3 to 1·9 times more rapidly per unit volume of protozoon than did the spineless form. Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Selenomonas ruminantium were rapidly digested by the spined form after engulfment. Free amino acids were taken up on average 3·1 times and glucose approximately 60 times faster per unit volume of protozoon by the spined form. Limited amounts of protein were synthesized by the spined form from glucose and starch but engulfed bacteria and, to a lesser extent, free amino acids were probably the prinicpal sources of protein for growth of both forms.