Exploring variation in the fecal microbial communities of Kasaragod Dwarf and Holstein crossbred cattle

The rumen microbiome and its metabolome together with the host metabolome regulate the growth performance of crossbred cattle

BACKGROUND

Although it has been demonstrated that gastrointestinal microorganisms greatly influence livestock performance, the effect of gastrointestinal microorganisms on the growth performance of crossbred cattle remains unclear. Due to their superior production characteristics, understanding the impact of gastrointestinal microorganisms on the growth performance of crossbred beef cattle is of significant importance for improving farming efficiency.

RESULT

In this study, healthy Simmental with similar birth date and weight were selected as dams, Simmental (Combination I), Belgian Blue (Combination II) and Red Angus (Combination III) were used as parents for crossbreeding. The progeny of the three combination crosses were measured for growth performance under identical conditions from birth rearing to 18 months of age (n = 30). Rumen fluid and plasma were collected for macro-genomic and non-targeted metabolomic analysis (n = 8). The results showed that Combination II was superior to Combination I and Combination III in body weight (BW) and body height (BH) (P < 0.05). Mycoplasma, Succinivibrio, Anaerostipes, Methanosphaera, Aspergillus, and Acidomyces were significantly increased in the rumen of Combination II (P < 0.05), whereas differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) 9,10,13-Trihome (11), 9,12,13-Trihome and 9(10)-Epome, and 9(S)-Hpode were reduced in abundance. In addition, plasma DEM PC (14:0/P-18:1(11Z)), PC (16:0/0:0), and PC (17:0/0:0) were down-regulated in combination II. Correlation analysis revealed that Anaerostipes, Methanosphaera, and Succinivibrio were associated with PC (14:0/P-18:1(11Z)), 9(10)-Epome, 9,10,13-Trihome (11), 9(S)-Hpode, 9,10,13-Trihome, PC (17:0/0:0), and PC (16:0/0:0). Growth traits were significantly positively correlated with the three dominant genera, Anaerostipes, Methanosphaera, and Succinivibrio, while significantly negatively correlated with key rumen metabolites and plasma metabolites (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals the role of rumen microorganisms and its metabolites with host metabolism in the regulation of growth performance of crossbred cattle, which will contribute to the development of modern cattle breeding.

Microbiome analysis reveals dynamic changes of gut microbiota in Guizhou horse and Dutch Warmblood horses

In recent years, the importance of gut microbiota in digestive absorption, metabolism, and immunity has garnered increasing attention. China possess abundant horse breed resources, particularly Guizhou horses, which play vital roles in local agriculture, tourism, and transportation. Despite this, there is a lack of comparative studies on the gut microbiota of native Guizhou horses (GZH) and imported Dutch Warmblood horses (WH). To address this gap, fecal samples were collected from both GZH and WH, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was utilized to analyze the differences in their gut microbiota. The results indicated that compared with GZH, the abundance of the gut bacterial community in WH was significantly higher, whereas the abundance of the gut fungal community was lower. Furthermore, PCoA-based scatter plot analysis demonstrated distinct differences in the structure of gut bacteria and fungi between the two breeds. While both types of horses share similar major bacterial and fungal phyla, significant differences were observed in numerous bacterial and fungal genera. Moreover, functional predictions of gut bacterial communities suggested that WH exhibit a more robust digestive system and enhanced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism capabilities. This is the first report on the comparative analysis of the gut microbiota in GZH and WH. The results emphasize the significant differences in gut microbiota among various horse breeds and offer valuable insights into the composition and structure of gut microbiota in different horse breeds.

Effect of olive cake supplementation on faecal microbiota profile of Holstein and Modicana dairy cattle

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of olive cake supplementation on faecal microbiota of Holstein (n = 16) and Modicana (n = 16) dairy cows. Although no difference in richness was detected, within breeds and between the two dietary treatment, the PERMANOVA analysis applied to the beta diversity allowed to discriminate samples according to breeds (p < 0.001) and treatment (p < 0.001). In Holstein cows, the olive cake supplementation led to the increase of Pseudobutyrivibrio and Christensenellaceae_R7-group genera (p < 0.05) recognized as health-promoting or associated with feed efficiency. Differently, no difference was detected between control and treated groups for Modicana suggesting a high adaptive capacity to diet changes. In addition, the higher prevalence of Firmicutes phyla in the Modicana microbiota reflected its better capacity to digest the fibrous sources. Our study supports the suitability of olive cake as a feed supplement for cows and could help validating a sustainable livestock system in the Mediterranean area, characterized by a relevant oil production and by a native breeds reared with extensive systems.

Unveiling the Gut Microbiome: How Junk Food Impacts the Gut

The human gut microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms, profoundly influences human health and disease. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes make up the majority of the normal human gut microbiota. These microorganisms wield considerable influence over our physiological functions, impacting both our well-being and our susceptibility to disease. The surge of interest in the gut microbiome over the past decade has been remarkable. Once overlooked, the gastrointestinal tract's microbiota has gained recognition for its significance in maintaining optimal health. The food industry has capitalized on this, flooding the market with "probiotic" and "fermented" products. This article aims to provide a critical review of the current literature on the gut microbiome and its significance in human health, with a particular focus on the impact of dietary choices, especially junk food, on the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Microbes possess the remarkable ability to unlock nutrients from otherwise indigestible substances. The gut microbiome of individuals who consume healthy foods and those who prefer junk food varies significantly. Healthy diets promote a diverse and beneficial gut microbiome, while junk food consumption often leads to a less diverse microbiome with negative consequences for health.

Genome sequencing and de novo and reference-based genome assemblies of Bos indicus breeds

BACKGROUND

Indian cattle breeds (Bos indicus) are known for their remarkable adaptability to hot and humid climates, higher nutritious quality of milk, better disease tolerance, and greater ability to perform in poor feed compared to taurine cattle (Bos taurus). Distinct phenotypic differences are observed among the B. indicus breeds; however, the whole genome sequences were unavailable for these indigenous breeds.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to perform whole genome sequencing to construct the draft genome assemblies of four B. indicus breeds; Ongole, Kasargod Dwarf, Kasargod Kapila, and Vechur (the smallest cattle of the world).

METHODS

We sequenced the whole genomes using Illumina short-read technology, and constructed de novo and reference-based genome assemblies of these native B. indicus breeds for the first time.

RESULTS

The draft de novo genome assemblies of B. indicus breeds ranged from 1.98 to 3.42 Gbp. We also constructed the mitochondrial genome assemblies (~ 16.3 Kbp), and yet unavailable 18S rRNA marker gene sequences of these B. indicus breeds. The genome assemblies helped to identify the bovine genes related to distinct phenotypic characteristics and other biological processes for this species compared to B. taurus, which are plausibly responsible for providing better adaptive traits. We also identified the genes that showed sequence variation in dwarf and non-dwarf breeds of B. indicus compared to B. taurus.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome assemblies of these Indian cattle breeds, the 18S rRNA marker genes, and identification of the distinct genes in B. indicus breeds compared to B. taurus will help in future studies on these cattle species.