RT Journal Article
T1 Ruminal fistulation and cannulation: a necessary procedure for the advancement of biotechnological research in ruminants
A1 Castillo Rodríguez, Cristina
A1 Hernández Bermúdez, Joaquín
K1 Animal experimentation
K1 Ruminants
K1 Fistulation
K1 Cannulation
K1 In vitro fermenters
AB Rumen content is a complex mixture of feed, water, fermentation products, and living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which vary over time and with different feeds. As it is impossible to reproduce this complex system in the laboratory, surgical fistulation and cannulation of the rumen is a powerful tool for the study (in vivo and in situ) of the physiology and biochemistry of the ruminant digestive system. Rumen fistulation in cattle, sheep, and goats has been performed extensively to advance our understanding of digestive physiology and development, nutrient degradability, and rumen microbial populations. The literature reports several fistulation and cannulation procedures in ruminants, which is not the focus of this paper. However, this method questions the ethical principles that alter the opinions of certain animal groups or those opposed to animal experimentation. In this article, we analyze the objectives of fistulation and cannulation of ruminants and the care needed to ensure that the welfare of the animal is maintained at all times. Due to the ethical issues raised by this technique, several in vitro digestion methods for simulating ruminal fermentation have been developed. The most relevant ones are described in this article. Independently of the procedure, we want to point out that research carried out with animals is obliged by legislation to follow strict ethical protocols, following the well-being and health status of the animal at all times
PB MDPI
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/26734
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/26734
LA eng
NO Castillo Rodríguez, C. & Hernández Bermúdez, J. (2021). Ruminal fistulation and cannulation: a necessary procedure for the advancement of biotechnological research in ruminants. Animals 2021, 11(7), 1870-. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071870
DS Minerva
RD 26 may 2026