DISTRIBUTION OF ACYL-HOMOSERINE-LACTONE AUTOINDUCER (AHL) IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF RUMINANTS AND CORRELATION TO SEASON, E. COLI O157

1. Determine prevalence and concentrations of AHL in luminal contents collected from the rumen, small intestine, colon, and rectum of feedlot cattle at slaughter. 2. Determine if season influences AHL concentrations by sampling feedlot cattle in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. 3. Examine populations of E. coli O157:H7 (qualitatively and quantitatively) in above luminal content samples and determine if correlated to AHL concentrations. 4. Utilizing growing lambs as an inexpensive cattle model, evaluate concentrations of AHL in luminal contents throughout the gastro-intestinal tract of lambs fed forage- or grain-based diets.