Of those genera found to be significantly different basedon sampling day Alkalibaculum, Coprococcus, and Dethiobacter had low to moderate Pearson correlations to DRA, MCT1, NHE2, and NHE3, and all correlated negatively to SCFA absorption parameters.The increase in relative abundance, combined with a decrease in SCFA absorption with increased time on forage feeding in the recovery phase, would indicate that the DRA and NHE3 are responsible for rumen cellular pH balance under normal rumen pH conditions.Additionally, looking at the changes in other proteinswithin the inflammation cascade in the rumen epithelium may give more insight into the role changes that the epithelial bacterial community has on host cells.