Abstract: Rumen ciliates are a group of single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms mainly living in the rumen of ruminants，which may play essential roles in the efficient degradation of plant fibers， regulation of rumen fermentation rate， and participation in the rumen methanogenesis. To deeply research the functions of rumen ciliates and their impact on the host，it is necessary to culture them in vitro. Here，we reviewed the research on the progress of culture technology of rumen ciliates in vitro. Firstly，we introduced the global research status of the culture of rumen ciliates in vitro，then summarized the factors that influence it，and finally，proposed applying the established culture system of rumen ciliates in vitro. This review provides a valuable reference for establishing a stable and controllable culture system of rumen ciliates in vitro.

Key words: eukaryotic microorganisms, rumen ciliates, in vitro cultivation, anaerobic culture