Metagenomic approach to infer rumen microbiome derived traits of cattle

Herbal formula alleviates heat stress by improving physiological and biochemical attributes and modulating the rumen microbiome in dairy cows

Heat stress significantly impacts dairy cow productivity, health, and welfare. This study evaluated a self-developed herbal formula as a dietary intervention to mitigate heat stress. A total of 198 lactating cows were divided into two groups: a Control group receiving standard total mixed rations and a Herbs group supplemented with herbal formula for 60 days. Various parameters were assessed, including milk yield and composition, antioxidant capacity, immune responses, stress-related gene expression, and rumen microbial composition. Compared to the Control group, cows in the Herbs group showed improved feed intake, milk yield and quality, rumination frequency, and enhanced antioxidant activity and immune response. Rumen microbiome analysis revealed a reduced relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Ochrobactrum in the Herbs group, along with an enrichment of beneficial genera such as Lachnospira. Functional predictions indicated that the Herbs group exhibited enhanced glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism, reflecting improved fermentation efficiency and energy utilization. In conclusion, the herbal formula improved physiological and biochemical attributes, boosted antioxidant and immune responses, and modulated the rumen microbiome, contributing to the alleviation of heat stress in dairy cows. These findings highlight its potential as a natural dietary strategy to support dairy cow health and productivity under heat stress conditions.

High concentrate diets altered the structure and function of rumen microbiome in goats

This study used metatranscriptomics to investigate the effects of concentrate diet level on rumen microbiome composition and function in goats. A total of 12 healthy 120-day-old Da'er goats were randomly allotted into two treatments: L group (low dietary concentrate level group, concentrate: forage ratio was 25: 75) and H group (high dietary concentrate level group, concentrate: forage ratio was 80: 20). The study included a 10-day pre-feeding period and a 60-day growth experiment. The results showed that compared with the L group, the average daily gain and the slaughter rate in the H group were increased, while the F/G was decreased; the concentration of lactate and ammonia nitrogen, and the proportion of butyrate and valerate in the rumen of the H group were increased, while the proportion of acetate, and the ratio of acetate to propionate were decreased (p < 0.05). Among rumen bacteria, compared with the L group, the H group significantly decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Fibrobacteria at the phylum level, decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Fibrobacter, and Sarcina and increased the relative abundance of Clostridium at the genus level, and decreased the relative abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Sarcina sp. DSM 11001, Oscillibacter sp. KLE 1728, and Ruminococcus flavefaciens and increased the relative abundance of Clostridium sp. ND2 and Firmicutes bacteria CAG: 103 at the species level (p < 0.05). Among rumen fungi, the relative abundance of Basidiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Mortierella, Mortierella elongata, and Gonapodyna prolifera was lower in the H group than that in the L group (p < 0.05). Functional annotation results showed that the abundance of Glycoside hydrolases genes in rumen microbiome was significantly decreased in the H group compared to the L group (p < 0.05). The result of KEGG DEGs enrichment analysis showed that the gene expression of cellulose 1,4-β-cellobiosidase, acetyl-CoA hydrolase, lactate dehydrogenase, succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, D-malate dehydrogenase and related genes in methane production pathways of rumen microbiome was decreased in the H group. In summary, feeding high concentrate diets improved the production performance of goats, altered the structure and composition of rumen microbiome and changed the function of rumen microbiome.

Climate change and dairy farming sustainability; a causal loop paradox and its mitigation scenario

It is arguable at this time whether climate change is a cause or effect of the disruption in dairy farming. Climate change drastically affects the productive performance of livestock, including milk and meat production, and this could be attributed to the deviation of energy resources towards adaptive mechanisms. However, livestock farming also contributes substantially to the existing greenhouse gas pool, which is the causal of the climate change. We gathered relevant information from the recent publication and reviewed it to elaborate on sustainable dairy farming management in a changing climatic scenario, and efforts are needed to gather this material to develop methods that could help to overcome the adversities associated with livestock industries. We summarize the intervention points to reverse these adversities, such as application of genetic technology, nutrition intervention, utilization of chemical inhibitors, immunization, and application of metagenomics, which may help to sustain farm animal production in the changing climate scenario.

Correlation between microbial characteristics and reproductive status of the yak uterus based on macrogenomic analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the microbial characteristics of yak uteri collected using intrauterine cotton swabs (CS) during different reproductive stages and the correlation of these microbial characteristics with reproductive status.

METHODS

We used a macrogenomic approach to analyze the functional aspects of different microorganisms in samples collected during the pre-estrus, estrus, late estrus, and diestrus stages.

RESULTS

The results revealed the presence of 1293 microbial genera and 3401 microbial species in the uteri of yaks at different reproductive stages. The dominant bacterial species varied across the different periods, with Micrococcus and Proteus being dominant during pre-estrus; Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, and Staphylococcus during estrus; Acinetobacter, Bacillus and Proteus during late estrus; and Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, and Proteus during diestrus.

DISCUSSION

The primary functions of these bacteria are enriched in various metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, intracellular transport and secretion, post-translational protein modification, and drug resistance. These findings suggest that the microbial diversity in the uterus of yaks plays a crucial role in reproductive regulation and can help prevent reproductive tract-related diseases.

Partially Alternative Feeding with Fermented Distillers' Grains Modulates Gastrointestinal Flora and Metabolic Profile in Guanling Cattle

Fermented distillers' grains (FDG) are commonly used to enhance the health and metabolic processes of livestock and poultry by regulating the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of research on the effects of the FDG diet on the gastrointestinal microbiota and its metabolites in cattle. This study examines the impact of FDG dietary supplements on the gastrointestinal flora and metabolic profile of Guanling cattle. Eighteen cattle were randomly assigned to three treatment groups with six replicates per group. The treatments included a basal diet (BD), a 15% concentrate replaced by FDG (15% FDG) in the basal diet, and a 30% concentrate replaced by FDG (30% FDG) in the basal diet. Each group was fed for a duration of 60 days. At the conclusion of the experimental period, three cattle were randomly chosen from each group for slaughter and the microbial community structure and metabolic mapping of their abomasal and cecal contents were analyzed, utilizing 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS technology, respectively. At the phylum level, there was a significant increase in Bacteroidetes in both the abomasum and cecum for the 30%FDG group (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in potential pathogenic bacteria such as Spirochetes and Proteobacteria for both the 15%FDG and 30%FDG groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 fiber degradation bacteria. Non-target metabolomics analysis indicated that the FDG diet significantly impacted primary bile acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, choline metabolism in cancer, and other metabolic pathways (p < 0.05). There is a noteworthy correlation between the diverse bacterial genera and metabolites found in the abomasal and cecal contents of Guanling cattle, as demonstrated by correlation analysis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that partially substituting FDG for conventional feed leads to beneficial effects on both the structure of the gastrointestinal microbial community and the metabolism of its contents in Guanling cattle. These findings offer a scientific point of reference for the further use of FDG as a cattle feed resource.