The objective of this research project that I will be working on with Dr. Vyas is to quantify the amount of dietary probiotics in rumen at different time intervals post feeding. Probiotics influence the function and composition of the microbiota within the gastrointestinal tract, which are instrumental in a number of beneficial processes in the host organism, including improved nutrient utilization and stimulation of the immune system. Because of the ruminant’s dependence on microbial population in the rumen for feed digestion, the potential benefits of probiotics in improving digestive efficiency and production performance are greater for ruminants as compared to monogastrics. A better understanding of the survival and persistence of the inoculated bacterial strains will help us determine which probiotics are most effective and maintained at a stable population within the rumen.