Reindeers are grazed by indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North who live in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. There, these animals form the basis for economic activity, as well as contribute to the survival of local peoples, including the preservation of their culture, customs and languages. At the same time, scientists study the biological characteristics of reindeers, many of them are unique and useful for subsequent introduction to agriculture.
"We were fortunate to isolate certain promising associations of microorganisms from the reindeer pre-ventriculos. We believe that this spectrum of microorganisms is the one responsible for the efficiency of assimilation of the feed these animals live on," says Corresponding Member of RAS Kasim Laishev, Deputy Director of the North-West Centre for Interdisciplinary Researches of Problems of Food Maintenance (N-W CIRPFM - part of SPC RAS).
Microbiome (a community of microorganisms) living in the reindeer rumen (the largest section of its 4-chamber stomach) ferments coarse feed coming in as food. The scar is located at the very beginning of the digestive cycle and greens enter there. It is fermented in a result of the vital activity of the microflora living there, and determining the stomach's ability to digest
To study these microorganisms, scientists went to the tundra, trapped reindeer there, and via a special probe selected the scar contents. Methodic for microbiome studies have been developed by the SPC RAS scientists, the samples analysis was carried out jointly with specialists of Biotrof LLC, that provided its own equipment for the project.
"Now when we have isolated this association of microorganisms, it is reasonable to plan an introduction of it the rumens of other species of ruminants and study their ability to take root and digest food. Should we improve the feed conversion and digestion efficiency in livestock, then such a feed additive would lead to a significant enhance in meat productivity," notes Kasim Laishev.
The research is being done due to financial support of the Russian Science Foundation.
Scientists of SPC RAS have been studying methods and features of reindeers’ breeding to satisfy the needs of agriculture in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation for many years. Previously, the staff members of N-W CIRPFM took part in an expedition to Kamchatka, to the reindeer husbandry of LLC "Revival of Reindeer Husbandry Development". The purpose of the expedition was to find out what causes the animal deaths, as well as to collect biological material for genetic, helminthological and microbiological research.