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Worku D. Unraveling the genetic basis of methane emission in dairy cattle: a comprehensive exploration and breeding approach to lower methane emissions. Anim Biotechnol 2024; 35:2362677. [PMID: 38860914 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2362677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Ruminant animals, such as dairy cattle, produce CH4, which contributes to global warming emissions and reduces dietary energy for the cows. While the carbon foot print of milk production varies based on production systems, milk yield and farm management practices, enteric fermentation, and manure management are major contributors togreenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle. Recent emerging evidence has revealed the existence of genetic variation for CH4 emission traits among dairy cattle, suggests their potential inclusion in breeding goals and genetic selection programs. Advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies and analytical techniques have enabled the identification of potential metabolic biomarkers, candidate genes, and SNPs linked to methane emissions. Indeed, this review critically examines our current understanding of carbon foot print in milk production, major emission sources, rumen microbial community and enteric fermentation, and the genetic architecture of methane emission traits in dairy cattle. It also emphasizes important implications for breeding strategies aimed at halting methane emissions through selective breeding, microbiome driven breeding, breeding for feed efficiency, and breeding by gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Destaw Worku
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Food and Climate Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia
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2
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Marcos CN, Carro MD, Gutiérrez-Rivas M, Atxaerandio R, Goiri I, García-Rodríguez A, González-Recio O. Ruminal microbiome changes across lactation in primiparous Holstein cows with varying methane intensity: Heritability assessment. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:7064-7078. [PMID: 38788852 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas produced during the ruminal fermentation and is associated with a loss of feed energy. Therefore, efforts to reduce methane emissions have been ongoing in the last decades. Methane production is highly influenced by factors such as the ruminal microbiome and host genetics. Previous studies have proposed to use the ruminal microbiome to reduce long-term methane emissions, as ruminal microbiome composition is a moderately heritable trait and genetic improvement accumulates over time. Lactation stage is another important factor that might influence methane production, but potential associations with the ruminal microbiome have not been evaluated previously. This study sought to examine the changes in ruminal microbiome over the lactation period of primiparous Holstein cows differing in methane intensity (MI) and estimate the heritability of the abundance of relevant microorganisms. Ruminal content samples from 349 primiparous Holstein cows with 14 to 378 DIM were collected from May 2018 to June 2019. Methane intensity of each cow was calculated as methane concentration/milk yield. Up to 64 taxonomic features (TF) from 20 phyla had a significant differential abundance between cows with low and high MI early in lactation, 16 TF during mid lactation, and none late in lactation. Taxonomical features within the Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Melainabacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria phyla were associated with low MI, whereas eukaryotic TF and those within the Euryarchaeota, Verrucomicrobia, Kiritimatiellaeota, and Lentisphaerae phyla were associated with high MI. Out of the 60 TF that were found to be differentially abundant between early and late lactation in cows with low MI, 56 TF were also significant when cows with low and high MI were compared in the first third of the lactation. In general, microbes associated with low MI were more abundant early in lactation (e.g., Acidaminococcus, Aeromonas, and Weimeria genera) and showed low to moderate heritabilities (0.03 to 0.33). These results suggest some potential to modulate the rumen microbiome composition through selective breeding for lower MI. Differences in the ruminal microbiome of cows with extreme MI levels likely result from variations in the ruminal physiology of these cows and were more noticeable early in lactation, probably due to important interactions between the host phenotype and environmental factors associated with that period. Our results suggest that the ruminal microbiome evaluated early in lactation may be more precise for MI difference, and hence, this should be considered to optimize sampling periods to establish a reference population in genomic selection scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Marcos
- Departamento de Producción Agraria, ETSIAAB, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - M D Carro
- Departamento de Producción Agraria, ETSIAAB, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Gutiérrez-Rivas
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - R Atxaerandio
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - I Goiri
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - A García-Rodríguez
- NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - O González-Recio
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Lopes LSF, Schenkel FS, Houlahan K, Rochus CM, Oliveira GA, Oliveira HR, Miglior F, Alcantara LM, Tulpan D, Baes CF. Estimates of genetic parameters for rumination time, feed efficiency, and methane production traits in first-lactation Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:4704-4713. [PMID: 38310964 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The large-scale recording of traits such as feed efficiency (FE) and methane emissions (ME) for use in genetic improvement programs is complex, costly, and time-consuming. Therefore, heritable traits that can be continuously recorded in dairy herds and are correlated with FE and ME traits could provide useful information for genetic evaluation. Rumination time has been suggested to be associated with FE, methane production (MeP; ME in g/d), and production traits at the phenotypic level. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the genetic relationships among rumination time (RT), FE, methane and production traits using 7,358 records from 656 first-lactation Holstein cows. The estimated heritabilities were moderate for RT (0.45 ± 0.14), MeP (0.36 ± 0.12), milk yield (0.40 ± 0.08), fat yield (0.29 ± 0.06), protein yield (0.32 ± 0.07), and energy-corrected milk (0.28 ± 0.07), but were low and nonsignificant for FE (0.15 ± 0.07), which was defined as the residual of the multiple linear regression of DMI on energy-corrected milk and metabolic body weight. A favorable negative genetic correlation was estimated between RT and MeP (-0.53 ± 0.24), whereas a positive favorable correlation was estimated between RT and energy-corrected milk (0.49 ± 0.11). The estimated genetic correlation of RT with FE (-0.01 ± 0.17) was not significantly different from zero but showed a trend of a low correlation with dry matter intake (0.21 ± 0.13). These results indicate that RT is genetically associated with MeP and milk production traits, but high standard errors indicate that further analyses should be conducted to verify these findings when more data for RT, MeP, and FE become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S F Lopes
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1.
| | - F S Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - K Houlahan
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - C M Rochus
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - G A Oliveira
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | | | - F Miglior
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1; Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1K 1E5
| | - L M Alcantara
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - D Tulpan
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - C F Baes
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1; Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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4
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Atashi H, Lemal P, Tran MN, Gengler N. Estimation of genetic parameters and single-step genome-wide association studies for eating time and rumination time in Holstein dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3006-3019. [PMID: 38101745 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and to identify genomic regions associated with eating time (ET) and rumination time (RUT) in Holstein dairy cows. Genetic correlations among ET, RUT, and milk yield traits were also estimated. The data were collected from 2019 to 2022 in 6 dairy herds located in the Walloon Region of Belgium. The dataset consisted of daily ET and RUT records on 284 Holstein cows, from which 41 cows had records only for the first parity (P1), 101 cows had records from both the first and second parities, and 142 cows had records only for the second parity (P2). The number of daily ET and RUT records in the P1 and P2 cows were 18,569 (on 142 cows) and 34,464 (on 243 cows), respectively. Data on 28,994 SNPs located on 29 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA) of 747 animals (435 males) were used. Random regression test-day models were used to estimate genetic parameters through the Bayesian Gibbs sampling method. The SNP solutions were estimated using a single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction approach. The proportion of genetic variance explained by each 20-SNP sliding window (with an average size of 1.52 Mb) was calculated, and regions accounting for at least 1.0% of the total additive genetic variance were used to search for candidate genes. Mean (standard deviation; SD) averaged daily ET and RUT were 327.0 (85.66) and 559.4 (77.69) min/d for cows in P1 and 316.0 (82.24) and 574.2 (75.42) min/d for cows in P2, respectively. Mean (standard deviation; SD) heritability estimates for daily ET and RUT were 0.42 (0.09) and 0.45 (0.06) for cows in P1 and 0.45 (0.04) and 0.43 (0.02) for cows in P2, respectively. Mean (SD) daily genetic correlations between daily ET and RUT were 0.27 (0.07) for P1 and 0.34 (0.08) for P2. Genome-wide association analyses identified 6 genomic regions distributed over 5 chromosomes (BTA1, BTA4, BTA11, 2 regions of BTA14, and BTA17) associated with ET or RUT. The findings of this study increase our preliminary understanding of the genetic background of feeding behavior in dairy cows; however, larger datasets are needed to determine whether ET and RUT might have the potential to be used in selection programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Atashi
- TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium; Department of Animal Science, Shiraz University, 71441-13131 Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Pauline Lemal
- TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | | | - Nicolas Gengler
- TERRA Teaching and Research Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
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5
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van Staaveren N, Rojas de Oliveira H, Houlahan K, Chud TCS, Oliveira GA, Hailemariam D, Kistemaker G, Miglior F, Plastow G, Schenkel FS, Cerri R, Sirard MA, Stothard P, Pryce J, Butty A, Stratz P, Abdalla EAE, Segelke D, Stamer E, Thaller G, Lassen J, Manzanilla-Pech CIV, Stephansen RB, Charfeddine N, García-Rodríguez A, González-Recio O, López-Paredes J, Baldwin R, Burchard J, Parker Gaddis KL, Koltes JE, Peñagaricano F, Santos JEP, Tempelman RJ, VandeHaar M, Weigel K, White H, Baes CF. The Resilient Dairy Genome Project-A general overview of methods and objectives related to feed efficiency and methane emissions. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:1510-1522. [PMID: 37690718 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The Resilient Dairy Genome Project (RDGP) is an international large-scale applied research project that aims to generate genomic tools to breed more resilient dairy cows. In this context, improving feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases from dairy is a high priority. The inclusion of traits related to feed efficiency (e.g., dry matter intake [DMI]) or greenhouse gases (e.g., methane emissions [CH4]) relies on available genotypes as well as high quality phenotypes. Currently, 7 countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and United States) contribute with genotypes and phenotypes including DMI and CH4. However, combining data are challenging due to differences in recording protocols, measurement technology, genotyping, and animal management across sources. In this study, we provide an overview of how the RDGP partners address these issues to advance international collaboration to generate genomic tools for resilient dairy. Specifically, we describe the current state of the RDGP database, data collection protocols in each country, and the strategies used for managing the shared data. As of February 2022, the database contains 1,289,593 DMI records from 12,687 cows and 17,403 CH4 records from 3,093 cows and continues to grow as countries upload new data over the coming years. No strong genomic differentiation between the populations was identified in this study, which may be beneficial for eventual across-country genomic predictions. Moreover, our results reinforce the need to account for the heterogeneity in the DMI and CH4 phenotypes in genomic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke van Staaveren
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Hinayah Rojas de Oliveira
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON N1K 1E5, Canada
| | - Kerry Houlahan
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tatiane C S Chud
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Gerson A Oliveira
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dagnachew Hailemariam
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | | | - Filippo Miglior
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON N1K 1E5, Canada
| | - Graham Plastow
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Flavio S Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ronaldo Cerri
- Applied Animal Biology, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Marc Andre Sirard
- Department of Animal Sciences, Laval University, Qubec G1V 0A6, QC, Canada
| | - Paul Stothard
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Jennie Pryce
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; Agriculture Victoria Research, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | | | | | - Emhimad A E Abdalla
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (vit), Heinrich-Schröder-Weg 1, 27283, Verden, Germany
| | - Dierck Segelke
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (vit), Heinrich-Schröder-Weg 1, 27283, Verden, Germany; Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Georg Thaller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan Lassen
- Viking Genetics, Ebeltoftvej 16, 8960 Assentoft, Denmark
| | | | - Rasmus B Stephansen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Noureddine Charfeddine
- Spanish Holstein Association (CONAFE), Ctra. Andalucía km 23600 Valdemoro, 28340 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aser García-Rodríguez
- Department of Animal Production, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Oscar González-Recio
- Department of Animal Breeding, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier López-Paredes
- Federación Española de Criadores de Limusín, C/Infanta Mercedes, 31, 28020 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ransom Baldwin
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | | | | | - James E Koltes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Francisco Peñagaricano
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | | | - Robert J Tempelman
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Michael VandeHaar
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Kent Weigel
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Heather White
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Christine F Baes
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Sitkowska B, Yüksel HM, Piwczyński D, Önder H. Heritability and genetic correlations of rumination time with milk-yield and milking traits in Holstein-Friesian cows using an automated milking system. Animal 2024; 18:101101. [PMID: 38417215 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the values of genetic parameters is a prerequisite for conducting a breeding program. This is especially important for rumination, which is considered an indicator of cow's health. Exploring the genetic relations between rumination time, milk yield, and milking traits could make it a valuable tool in dairy cattle breeding strategies. The objective of the research was to estimate heritability, repeatability, and genetic and phenotypic correlations of rumination time (RT), as well as traits associated with milk yield and milking of dairy cows of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed kept in herds equipped with an automatic milking system. The research takes into consideration daily results for milking in the first lactation and second lactation, from 1 486 cows of the breed milked between 2013 and 2015 year. Cows were housed in 24 free-stall barns and fed a Partial Mixed Ration feed. The barns had an automated milking system (Astronaut A4 - Lely Industry). The cows received a varied dose of the concentrate, either in the milking robot or the feeding station, depending on the level of their milk yield. Our research has shown that RT was a low heritable trait (0.140 ± 0.039) and had a medium repeatability (0.572 ± 0.007). We detected a positive genetic correlation between RT and milk yield (0.341); however, a statistically significant negative relationship was identified between RT and urea content (-0.418) in milk. Estimations of genetic correlations suggest that selecting for higher RT may correspond to reduced urea content in milk. Investigating the genetics aspect of RT and the relationship with milk yield and milking traits may turn this into one of the useful criterion selections for dairy cattle breeding strategies, but should be used carefully. Further analyses on larger data sets and different populations are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sitkowska
- Department of Animal Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - H M Yüksel
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkiye
| | - D Piwczyński
- Department of Animal Biotechnology and Genetics, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - H Önder
- Department of Animal Science, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun 55139, Turkiye
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Ryan CV, Pabiou T, Purfield DC, Berry DP, Conroy S, Murphy CP, Evans RD. Exploring definitions of daily enteric methane emission phenotypes for genetic evaluations using a population of indoor-fed multi-breed growing cattle with feed intake data. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae034. [PMID: 38323901 PMCID: PMC10889735 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection has been identified as a promising approach for reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions; a prerequisite for genetic evaluations; however, these are estimates of the necessary genetic parameters based on a population representative of where the genetic evaluations will be used. The objective of this study was, therefore, to derive genetic parameters for a series of definitions of CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), and dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic correlations between CH4, CO2, and DMI in a bid to address the paucity of studies involving methane emissions measured in beef cattle using GreenFeed systems. Lastly, estimated breeding values (EBV) were generated for nine alternative definitions of CH4 using the derived genetic parameters; the EBV were validated against both phenotypic performance (adjusted for non-genetic effects) and the Legarra and Reverter method comparing EBV generated for a subset of the dataset compared to EBV generated from the entire dataset. Individual animal CH4 and CO2 records were available from a population of 1,508 multi-breed growing beef cattle using 10 GreenFeed Emission Monitoring systems. Nine trait definitions for CH4 and CO2 were derived: individual spot measures, the average of all spot measures within a 3-h, 6-h, 12-h, 1-d, 5-d, 10-d, and 15-d period and the average of all spot measures across the full test period (20 to 114 d on test). Heritability estimates from 1,155 animals, for CH4, increased as the length of the averaging period increased and ranged from 0.09 ± 0.03 for the individual spot measures trait to 0.43 ± 0.11 for the full test average trait; a similar trend existed for CO2 with the estimated heritability ranging from 0.17 ± 0.04 to 0.50 ± 0.11. Enteric CH4 was moderately to strongly genetically correlated with DMI with a genetic correlation of 0.72 ± 0.02 between the spot measures of CH4 and a 1-d average DMI. Correlations, adjusted for heritability, between the adjusted phenotype and (parental average) EBV ranged from 0.56 to 1.14 across CH4 definitions and the slope between the adjusted phenotype and EBV ranged from 0.92 to 1.16 (expectation = 1). Validation results from the Legarra and Reverter regression method revealed a level bias of between -0.81 and -0.45, a dispersion bias of between 0.93 and 1.17, and ratio accuracy (ratio of the partial evaluation accuracies on whole evaluation accuracies) from 0.28 to 0.38. While EBV validation results yielded no consensus, CH4 is a moderately heritable trait, and selection for reduced CH4 is achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clodagh V Ryan
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Thierry Pabiou
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Deirdre C Purfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Donagh P Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Stephen Conroy
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Craig P Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Ross D Evans
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
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8
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Rey J, Díaz de Otálora X, Atxaerandio R, Mandaluniz N, García-Rodríguez A, González-Recio O, López-García A, Ruiz R, Goiri I. Effect of Chitosan on Ruminal Fermentation and Microbial Communities, Methane Emissions, and Productive Performance of Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2861. [PMID: 37760261 PMCID: PMC10525946 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to expand the knowledge about the activity and mode of action of CHI on methanogenesis and rumen microbial populations in vivo. A total of 16 lactating dairy cows were distributed in two groups, one of them receiving 135 mg CHI/kg body weight daily. The effect on productive performance, milk composition, fermentation efficiency, methane emissions, microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal microbial communities was determined. Supplementation with CHI did not affect rumen microbial diversity but increased the relative abundance (RA) of the bacteria Anaeroplasma and decreased those of rumen ciliates and protozoa resulting in a shift towards a lower acetic to propionic ratio. However, no effect on milk yield or methane intensity was observed. In conclusion, supplementing 135 mg CHI/kg body weight increased the RA of Anaeroplasma and decreased those of rumen ciliates and protozoa, both being related to fiber degradation in the rumen in different ways and resulted in a shift of ruminal fermentation towards more propionate proportions, without affecting CH4 emissions, milk yield, or milk composition. Further research with higher doses would be necessary to assess the potential use of this additive as a methane inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagoba Rey
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
| | - Xabier Díaz de Otálora
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Department of Technology Assessment and Substance Cycles, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Postdam, Germany
| | - Raquel Atxaerandio
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
| | - Nerea Mandaluniz
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
| | - Aser García-Rodríguez
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
| | - Oscar González-Recio
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Ctra. La Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (O.G.-R.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Adrián López-García
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Ctra. La Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (O.G.-R.); (A.L.-G.)
| | - Roberto Ruiz
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
| | - Idoia Goiri
- NEIKER—Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Department of Animal Production, Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arcaute, Spain (X.D.d.O.); (R.A.); (N.M.); (A.G.-R.); (R.R.)
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9
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Diavão J, Silva AS, Sguizzato ALL, da Silva CS, Tomich TR, Pereira LGR. How does reproduction account for dairy farm sustainability? Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230066. [PMID: 37638256 PMCID: PMC10449240 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustainability - the new hype of the 21st century has brought discomfort for the government and society. Sustainable agriculture is essential to face our most concerning challenges: climate change, food security, and the environmental footprint, all of which add to consumers' opinions and choices. Improvements in reproductive indexes can enhance animal production and efficiency, guaranteeing profit and sustainability. Estrus detection, artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), estrus synchronization (ES), and multiple ovulations are some strategies used to improve animal reproduction. This review highlights how reproductive strategies and genetic selection can contribute to sustainable ruminant production. Improved reproductive indices can reduce the number of nonproductive cows in the herd, reducing methane emissions and land use for production while preserving natural resources.
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10
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Gonzalez-Recio O, Scrobota N, López-Paredes J, Saborío-Montero A, Fernández A, López de Maturana E, Villanueva B, Goiri I, Atxaerandio R, García-Rodríguez A. Review: Diving into the cow hologenome to reduce methane emissions and increase sustainability. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 2:100780. [PMID: 37032282 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest on methane emissions from livestock has increased in later years as it is an anthropogenic greenhouse gas with an important warming potential. The rumen microbiota has a large influence on the production of enteric methane. Animals harbour a second genome consisting of microbes, collectively referred to as the "microbiome". The rumen microbial community plays an important role in feed digestion, feed efficiency, methane emission and health status. This review recaps the current knowledge on the genetic control that the cow exerts on the rumen microbiota composition. Heritability estimates for the rumen microbiota composition range between 0.05 and 0.40 in the literature, depending on the taxonomical group or microbial gene function. Variables depicting microbial diversity or aggregating microbial information are also heritable within the same range. This study includes a genome-wide association analysis on the microbiota composition, considering the relative abundance of some microbial taxa previously associated to enteric methane in dairy cattle (Archaea, Dialister, Entodinium, Eukaryota, Lentisphaerae, Methanobrevibacter, Neocallimastix, Prevotella and Stentor). Host genomic regions associated with the relative abundance of these microbial taxa were identified after Benjamini-Hoschberg correction (Padj < 0.05). An in-silico functional analysis using FUMA and DAVID online tools revealed that these gene sets were enriched in tissues like brain cortex, brain amigdala, pituitary, salivary glands and other parts of the digestive system, and are related to appetite, satiety and digestion. These results allow us to have greater knowledge about the composition and function of the rumen microbiome in cattle. The state-of-the art strategies to include methane traits in the selection indices in dairy cattle populations is reviewed. Several strategies to include methane traits in the selection indices have been studied worldwide, using bioeconomical models or economic functions under theoretical frameworks. However, their incorporation in the breeding programmes is still scarce. Some potential strategies to include methane traits in the selection indices of dairy cattle population are presented. Future selection indices will need to increase the weight of traits related to methane emissions and sustainability. This review will serve as a compendium of the current state of the art in genetic strategies to reduce methane emissions in dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia Scrobota
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier López-Paredes
- Confederación de Asociaciones de Frisona Española (CONAFE), Ctra. de Andalucía km 23600 Valdemoro, 28340 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Saborío-Montero
- Escuela de Zootecnia y Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501 San José, Costa Rica; Posgrado Regional en Ciencias Veterinarias Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, 40104 Heredia, Costa Rica
| | | | - Evangelina López de Maturana
- Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain; Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine (IMMA), Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, ARADyAL, Madrid, Spain; Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Idoia Goiri
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Raquel Atxaerandio
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Aser García-Rodríguez
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
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11
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Fresco S, Boichard D, Fritz S, Lefebvre R, Barbey S, Gaborit M, Martin P. Comparison of methane production, intensity, and yield throughout lactation in Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4147-4157. [PMID: 37105882 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Genetic selection to reduce methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cows is an attractive means of reducing the impact of agricultural production on climate change. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of such an approach by characterizing the interactions between CH4 and several traits of interest in dairy cows. We measured CH4, dry matter intake (DMI), fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM), body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) from 107 first- and second-parity Holstein cows from December 2019 to November 2021. Methane emissions were measured using a GreenFeed device and expressed in terms of production (MeP, in g/d), yield (MeY, in g/kg DMI), and intensity (MeI, in g/kg FPCM). Because of the limited number of cows, only animal parameters were estimated. Both MeP and MeI were moderately repeatable (>0.45), whereas MeY presented low repeatability, especially in early lactation. Mid lactation was the most stable and representative period of CH4 emissions throughout lactation, with animal correlations above 0.9. The average animal correlations of MeP with DMI, FPCM, and BW were 0.62, 0.48, and 0.36, respectively. The MeI was negatively correlated with FCPM (<-0.5) and DMI (>-0.25), and positively correlated with BW and BCS. The MeY presented stable and weakly positive correlations with the 4 other traits throughout lactation, with the exception of slightly negative animal correlations with FPCM and DMI after the 35th week. The MeP, MeI, and MeY were positively correlated at all lactation stages and, assuming animal and genetic correlations do not strongly differ, selection on one trait should lead to improvements in all. Overall, selection for MeI is probably not optimal as its change would result more from CH4 dilution in increased milk yield than from real decrease in methane emission. Instead, MeY is related to rumen function and is only weakly associated with DMI, FPCM, BW, and BCS; it thus appears to be the most promising CH4 trait for selection, provided that this would not deteriorate feed efficiency and that a system of large-scale phenotyping is developed. The MeP is easier to measure and thus may represent an acceptable alternative, although care would need to be taken to avoid undesirable changes in FPCM and BW.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fresco
- Eliance, 149 rue de Bercy, 75595 Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - D Boichard
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - S Fritz
- Eliance, 149 rue de Bercy, 75595 Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - R Lefebvre
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - S Barbey
- INRAE UE326 Domaine Expérimental du Pin, 61310 Exmes, France
| | - M Gaborit
- INRAE UE326 Domaine Expérimental du Pin, 61310 Exmes, France
| | - P Martin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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12
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van Breukelen AE, Aldridge MN, Veerkamp RF, Koning L, Sebek LB, de Haas Y. Heritability and genetic correlations between enteric methane production and concentration recorded by GreenFeed and sniffers on dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4121-4132. [PMID: 37080783 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
To reduce methane (CH4) emissions of dairy cows by animal breeding, CH4 measurements have to be recorded on thousands of individual cows. Currently, several techniques are used to phenotype cows for CH4, differing in costs and applicability. However, there is uncertainty about the agreement between techniques. To judge the similarity and repeatability between measurements of different recording techniques, the repeatability, heritability, and genetic correlation are useful metrics. Therefore, our objective was to estimate (1) the repeatability and heritability for CH4 and carbon dioxide production recorded by GreenFeed (GF) and for CH4 and carbon dioxide concentration measured by cost-effective but less accurate sniffers, and (2) the genetic correlation between CH4 recorded with these 2 different on farm and high throughput techniques. Data were available from repeated measurements of CH4 production (grams/day) by GF units and of CH4 concentration (ppm) by sniffers, recorded on commercial dairy farms in the Netherlands. The final data comprised 24,284 GF daily means from 822 cows, 170,826 sniffer daily means from 1,800 cows, and 1,786 daily means from 75 cows by both GF and sniffer (in the same period). Additionally, CH4 records were averaged per week. For daily and weekly mean GF CH4 the heritabilities were 0.19 ± 0.02 and 0.33 ± 0.04, and for daily and weekly mean sniffer CH4 the heritabilities were similar and were 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.32 ± 0.02, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between GF CH4 production and sniffer CH4 concentration were moderate (0.39 ± 0.03 for daily means and 0.37 ± 0.05 for weekly means). However, genetic correlations were high; 0.71 ± 0.13 for daily means and 0.76 ± 0.15 for weekly means. The high genetic correlation indicates that selection on low CH4 concentrations (ppm) recorded by the cost-effective sniffer method, will result in reduced CH4 production (grams/day) as recorded with GF.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E van Breukelen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - M N Aldridge
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - L Koning
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - L B Sebek
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Y de Haas
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
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13
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Kamalanathan S, Houlahan K, Miglior F, Chud TCS, Seymour DJ, Hailemariam D, Plastow G, de Oliveira HR, Baes CF, Schenkel FS. Genetic Analysis of Methane Emission Traits in Holstein Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081308. [PMID: 37106871 PMCID: PMC10135250 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection can be a feasible method to help mitigate enteric methane emissions from dairy cattle, as methane emission-related traits are heritable and genetic gains are persistent and cumulative over time. The objective of this study was to estimate heritability of methane emission phenotypes and the genetic and phenotypic correlations between them in Holstein cattle. We used 1765 individual records of methane emission obtained from 330 Holstein cattle from two Canadian herds. Methane emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system, and three methane traits were analyzed: the amount of daily methane produced (g/d), methane yield (g methane/kg dry matter intake), and methane intensity (g methane/kg milk). Genetic parameters were estimated using univariate and bivariate repeatability animal models. Heritability estimates (±SE) of 0.16 (±0.10), 0.27 (±0.12), and 0.21 (±0.14) were obtained for daily methane production, methane yield, and methane intensity, respectively. A high genetic correlation (rg = 0.94 ± 0.23) between daily methane production and methane intensity indicates that selecting for daily methane production would result in lower methane per unit of milk produced. This study provides preliminary estimates of genetic parameters for methane emission traits, suggesting that there is potential to mitigate methane emission in Holstein cattle through genetic selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kamalanathan
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kerry Houlahan
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Filippo Miglior
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON N1K 1E5, Canada
| | - Tatiane C S Chud
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dave J Seymour
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Dagnachew Hailemariam
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Graham Plastow
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Hinayah R de Oliveira
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Lactanet Canada, Guelph, ON N1K 1E5, Canada
| | - Christine F Baes
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstr. 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Flavio S Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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14
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Zhang X, Li Y, Terranova M, Ortmann S, Kreuzer M, Hummel J, Clauss M. Individual differences in digesta retention and their relation to chewing in cattle-A pilot investigation. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2023; 107:394-406. [PMID: 35560728 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While information on individual differences in digesta mean retention time (MRT) might be interesting when selecting phenotypes for digestive efficiency, MRT measurements are prohibitively labour-intensive for large-scale application. Therefore, more easily measured proxies of MRT might be helpful. We used the opportunity of an experiment applying saliva stimulant in cattle to investigate the effect of different individual chewing behaviour on fluid and particle MRT with a consistent diet. Four non-lactating cattle (670-850 kg body mass [BM]) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, treated with the saliva stimulant pilocarpine in dosages of 0, 1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg BM per day. The cattle were fed hay with dry matter intake (DMI) assigned according to their metabolic body weight. MRT in the whole gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the reticulorumen (RR) and the distal tract were measured using Co-EDTA, Cr-mordanted fibre and La-mordanted fibre as markers representing fluid, small particles (2 mm) and large particles (1 cm), respectively. The chewing behaviour was measured via noseband pressure sensor and expressed as chewing frequency (chews per time) and chewing intensity (chews per DMI), both for total chewing (ingestion plus rumination) and rumination chewing alone. The animals differed considerably in chewing behaviour and MRT measures. BM did not show a significant effect on chewing behaviour and MRT measures, though it tended to negatively correlated to total chewing intensity. Chewing intensity exerted a significant negative influence on MRT of fluid and particles in the RR, which was not the case for chewing frequency. Chewing frequency showed a significant relationship with MRT of large particles in the GIT. We suggest that chewing behaviour could influence MRT in two ways: (i) by affecting saliva production via the masticatory-salivary reflex and subsequently, the fluid inflow to the RR; (ii) by contributing to particle size reduction. Should the link between chewing behaviour and MRT be corroborated in larger studies, chewing measures, with their large interindividual variation, could emerge as an easy-to-measure proxy for MRT characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yang Li
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland
| | | | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Kreuzer
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hummel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Invited Review: Novel methods and perspectives for modulating the rumen microbiome through selective breeding as a means to improve complex traits: implications for methane emissions in cattle. Livest Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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16
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Schmidtmann C, Segelke D, Bennewitz J, Tetens J, Thaller G. Genetic analysis of production traits and body size measurements and their relationships with metabolic diseases in German Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:421-438. [PMID: 36424319 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study sheds light on the genetic complexity and interplay of production, body size, and metabolic health in dairy cattle. Phenotypes for body size-related traits from conformation classification (130,166 animals) and production (101,562 animals) of primiparous German Holstein cows were available. Additionally, 21,992, 16,641, and 7,096 animals were from herds with recordings of the metabolic diseases ketosis, displaced abomasum, and milk fever in first, second, and third lactation. Moreover, all animals were genotyped. Heritabilities of traits and genetic correlations between all traits were estimated and GWAS were performed. Heritability was between 0.240 and 0.333 for production and between 0.149 and 0.368 for body size traits. Metabolic diseases were lowly heritable, with estimates ranging from 0.011 to 0.029 in primiparous cows, from 0.008 to 0.031 in second lactation, and from 0.037 to 0.052 in third lactation. Production was found to have negative genetic correlations with body condition score (BCS; -0.279 to -0.343) and udder depth (-0.348 to -0.419). Positive correlations were observed for production and body depth (0.138-0.228), dairy character (DCH) (0.334-0.422), and stature (STAT) (0.084-0.158). In first parity cows, metabolic disease traits were unfavorably correlated with production, with genetic correlations varying from 0.111 to 0.224, implying that higher yielding cows have more metabolic problems. Genetic correlations of disease traits in second and third lactation with production in primiparous cows were low to moderate and in most cases unfavorable. While BCS was negatively correlated with metabolic diseases (-0.255 to -0.470), positive correlations were found between disease traits and DCH (0.269-0.469) as well as STAT (0.172-0.242). Thus, the results indicate that larger and sharper animals with low BCS are more susceptible to metabolic disorders. Genome-wide association studies revealed several significantly associated SNPs for production and conformation traits, confirming previous findings from literature. Moreover, for production and conformation traits, shared significant signals on Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 5 (88.36 Mb) and BTA 6 (86.40 to 87.27 Mb) were found, implying pleiotropy. Additionally, significant SNPs were observed for metabolic diseases on BTA 3, 10, 14, 17, and 26 in first lactation and on BTA 2, 6, 8, 17, and 23 in third lactation. Overall, this study provides important insights into the genetic basis and interrelations of relevant traits in today's Holstein cattle breeding programs, and findings may help to improve selection decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Schmidtmann
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Hermann-Rodewald-Straße 6, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Dierck Segelke
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (vit), Heinrich-Schröder-Weg 1, 27283 Verden, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Georg-August-University Göttingen, Division of Functional Breeding, Department of Animal Sciences, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Georg Thaller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Hermann-Rodewald-Straße 6, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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17
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Strandén I, Kantanen J, Lidauer MH, Mehtiö T, Negussie E. Animal board invited review: Genomic-based improvement of cattle in response to climate change. Animal 2022; 16:100673. [PMID: 36402112 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change brings challenges to cattle production, such as the need to adapt to new climates and pressure to reduce greenhouse emissions (GHG). In general, the improvement of traits in current breeding goals is favourably correlated with the reduction of GHG. Current breeding goals and tools for increasing cattle production efficiency have reduced GHG. The same amount of production can be achieved by a much smaller number of animals. Genomic selection (GS) may offer a cost-effective way of using an efficient breeding approach, even in low- and middle-income countries. As climate change increases the intensity of heatwaves, adaptation to heat stress leads to lower efficiency of production and, thus, is unfavourable to the goal of reducing GHG. Furthermore, there is evidence that heat stress during cow pregnancy can have many generation-long lowering effects on milk production. Both adaptation and reduction of GHG are among the difficult-to-measure traits for which GS is more efficient and suitable than the traditional non-genomic breeding evaluation approach. Nevertheless, the commonly used within-breed selection may be insufficient to meet the new challenges; thus, cross-breeding based on selecting highly efficient and highly adaptive breeds may be needed. Genomic introgression offers an efficient approach for cross-breeding that is expected to provide high genetic progress with a low rate of inbreeding. However, well-adapted breeds may have a small number of animals, which is a source of concern from a genetic biodiversity point of view. Furthermore, low animal numbers also limit the efficiency of genomic introgression. Sustainable cattle production in countries that have already intensified production is likely to emphasise better health, reproduction, feed efficiency, heat stress and other adaptation traits instead of higher production. This may require the application of innovative technologies for phenotyping and further use of new big data techniques to extract information for breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Strandén
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 31600 Jokioinen, Finland.
| | - J Kantanen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
| | - M H Lidauer
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
| | - T Mehtiö
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
| | - E Negussie
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), 31600 Jokioinen, Finland
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18
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Manzanilla-Pech C, Difford G, Løvendahl P, Stephansen R, Lassen J. Genetic (co-)variation of methane emissions, efficiency, and production traits in Danish Holstein cattle along and across lactations. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9799-9809. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Rumen eukaryotes are the main phenotypic risk factors for larger methane emissions in dairy cattle. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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20
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Host genetics associated with gut microbiota and methane emission in cattle. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:8153-8161. [PMID: 35776394 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07718-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In livestock sector, dairy animals alone produce 18% of the total greenhouse gas emissions globally as methane (CH4). This Enteric methane is the largest component of total carbon footprints produced by livestock production system and its reduction is today's new challenge to make livestock farming sustainable for earth's environment. The production of enteric methane in ruminants is a complex phenomena involving different host factors like host genotype, rumen microbiome, host physiology along with dietary factors. Efforts have been made to reduce methane emissions largely through nutritional interventions and dietary supplements, but permanent reductions can be obtained through genetic means by selecting and breeding of low methane emitting animals. From genome-wide association studies, many important genomic QTL regions and single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in shaping the composition of the ruminal microbiome and thus their carbon footprints have been recognised, implying that methane emission traits are quantitative traits. The major bottleneck in implementation of reduced methane emission traits in the breeding programs is wide variation at phenotypic level, lack of precise methane measurements at individual level. Overall, the heritability for CH4 production traits is moderate, and it can be used in breeding programmes to target changes in microbial composition to reduce CH4 emission in the dairy industry for far-reaching environmental benefits at the cost of a minor reduction in genetic gain in production traits.
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21
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Manzanilla-Pech CIV, Stephansen RB, Difford GF, Løvendahl P, Lassen J. Selecting for Feed Efficient Cows Will Help to Reduce Methane Gas Emissions. Front Genet 2022; 13:885932. [PMID: 35692829 PMCID: PMC9178123 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.885932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, several countries have included feed efficiency (as residual feed intake; RFI) in their breeding goal. Recent studies showed that RFI is favorably correlated with methane emissions. Thus, selecting for lower emitting animals indirectly through RFI could be a short-term strategy in order to achieve the intended reduction set by the EU Commission (-55% for 2030). The objectives were to 1) estimate genetic parameters for six methane traits, including genetic correlations between methane traits, production, and feed efficiency traits, 2) evaluate the expected correlated response of methane traits when selecting for feed efficiency with or without including methane, 3) quantify the impact of reducing methane emissions in dairy cattle using the Danish Holstein population as an example. A total of 26,664 CH4 breath records from 647 Danish Holstein cows measured over 7 years in a research farm were analyzed. Records on dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), and energy corrected milk (ECM) were also available. Methane traits were methane concentration (MeC, ppm), methane production (MeP; g/d), methane yield (MeY; g CH4/kg DMI), methane intensity (MeI; g CH4/kg ECM), residual methane concentration (RMeC), residual methane production (RMeP, g/d), and two definitions of residual feed intake with or without including body weight change (RFI1, RFI2). The estimated heritability of MeC was 0.20 ± 0.05 and for MeP, it was 0.21 ± 0.05, whereas heritability estimates for MeY and MeI were 0.22 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.04, and for the RMeC and RMeP, they were 0.23 ± 0.06 and 0.16 ± 0.02, respectively. Genetic correlations between methane traits ranged from moderate to highly correlated (0.48 ± 0.16–0.98 ± 0.01). Genetic correlations between methane traits and feed efficiency were all positive, ranging from 0.05 ± 0.20 (MeI-RFI2) to 0.76 ± 0.09 (MeP-RFI2). Selection index calculations showed that selecting for feed efficiency has a positive impact on reducing methane emissions’ expected response, independently of the trait used (MeP, RMeP, or MeI). Nevertheless, adding a negative economic value for methane would accelerate the response and help to reach the reduction goal in fewer generations. Therefore, including methane in the breeding goal seems to be a faster way to achieve the desired methane emission reductions in dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gareth Frank Difford
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As, Norway
| | - Peter Løvendahl
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Lassen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Viking Genetics, Assentoft, Randers, Denmark
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22
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van Breukelen AE, Aldridge MA, Veerkamp RF, de Haas Y. Genetic parameters for repeatedly recorded enteric methane concentrations of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:4256-4271. [PMID: 35307185 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal breeding techniques offer potential to reduce enteric emissions of ruminants to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of methane (CH4) concentrations, using the largest data set from long-term repeatedly recorded CH4 on cows to date, and to evaluate (1) the accuracy of breeding values for different CH4 traits, including using visits or weekly means, and (2) recording strategies (with varying numbers of records and recorded daughters per sire). The data comprised of long-term recording of CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2), from 1,746 Holstein Friesian cows, on 14 commercial dairy farms throughout the Netherlands. Emissions were recorded in 10- to 35-s intervals, between 64 and 436 d, depending on farms. From each robot visit, CH4 and CO2 concentrations were summarized into various traits, averaged per visit and per week: mean, median, mean log, and mean CH4/CO2 ratio. Genetic parameters were estimated with animal repeatability models, using a restricted maximum likelihood procedure, and a relationship matrix based on genotypes and pedigree. The heritability was equal for mean and median CH4 per visit (0.13) but lower for logCH4 and CH4/CO2 (0.07 and 0.01, respectively). Phenotypic and genetic correlations were high (≥0.78) between the CH4 traits, apart from the genetic correlations with the CH4/CO2 trait, which were negative. To achieve a minimum reliability of 50% for the estimated breeding value of a bull, 25 records on mean CH4, measured on 10 different daughters, were sufficient. Although the heritability and repeatability were higher for weekly (0.32 and 0.68, respectively) than for visit mean CH4 (0.13 and 0.30, respectively), the reliabilities of estimated breeding values from visit or weekly means were equal; thus, we found no advantage in averaging records to weekly means for genetic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E van Breukelen
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - M A Aldridge
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Y de Haas
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
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23
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López-García A, Saborío-Montero A, Gutiérrez-Rivas M, Atxaerandio R, Goiri I, García-Rodríguez A, Jiménez-Montero JA, González C, Tamames J, Puente-Sánchez F, Serrano M, Carrasco R, Óvilo C, González-Recio O. Fungal and ciliate protozoa are the main rumen microbes associated with methane emissions in dairy cattle. Gigascience 2022; 11:6514927. [PMID: 35077540 PMCID: PMC8848325 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitigating the effects of global warming has become the main challenge for humanity in recent decades. Livestock farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with an important output of methane from enteric fermentation processes, mostly in ruminants. Because ruminal microbiota is directly involved in digestive fermentation processes and methane biosynthesis, understanding the ecological relationships between rumen microorganisms and their active metabolic pathways is essential for reducing emissions. This study analysed whole rumen metagenome using long reads and considering its compositional nature in order to disentangle the role of rumen microbes in methane emissions. Results The β-diversity analyses suggested a subtle association between methane production and overall microbiota composition (0.01 < R2 < 0.02). Differential abundance analysis identified 36 genera and 279 KEGGs as significantly associated with methane production (Padj < 0.05). Those genera associated with high methane production were Eukaryota from Alveolata and Fungi clades, while Bacteria were associated with low methane emissions. The genus-level association network showed 2 clusters grouping Eukaryota and Bacteria, respectively. Regarding microbial gene functions, 41 KEGGs were found to be differentially abundant between low- and high-emission animals and were mainly involved in metabolic pathways. No KEGGs included in the methane metabolism pathway (ko00680) were detected as associated with high methane emissions. The KEGG network showed 3 clusters grouping KEGGs associated with high emissions, low emissions, and not differentially abundant in either. A deeper analysis of the differentially abundant KEGGs revealed that genes related with anaerobic respiration through nitrate degradation were more abundant in low-emission animals. Conclusions Methane emissions are largely associated with the relative abundance of ciliates and fungi. The role of nitrate electron acceptors can be particularly important because this respiration mechanism directly competes with methanogenesis. Whole metagenome sequencing is necessary to jointly consider the relative abundance of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota in the statistical analyses. Nutritional and genetic strategies to reduce CH4 emissions should focus on reducing the relative abundance of Alveolata and Fungi in the rumen. This experiment has generated the largest ONT ruminal metagenomic dataset currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián López-García
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Saborío-Montero
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Escuela de Zootecnia y Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501 San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mónica Gutiérrez-Rivas
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Atxaerandio
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Idoia Goiri
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Aser García-Rodríguez
- NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Campus Agroalimentario de Arkaute s/n, 01192 Arkaute, Spain
| | - Jose A Jiménez-Montero
- Confederación de Asociaciones de Frisona Española (CONAFE), Ctra. de Andalucía km 23600 Valdemoro, 28340 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen González
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Tamames
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Puente-Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena Serrano
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Carrasco
- Departamento de Periodismo y Nuevos Medios, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Óvilo
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar González-Recio
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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24
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The Effect of Rumination Time on Milk Performance and Methane Emission of Dairy Cows Fed Partial Mixed Ration Based on Maize Silage. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010050. [PMID: 35011156 PMCID: PMC8749766 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Greenhouse gas emission has attracted considerable public attention in recent years, driving the search for genetic, nutritional, and management strategies to reduce methane emissions and increase the sustainability of milk production. Rumination activity has an important function in feed particle size reduction, condition of feeding behavior, and feed intake as well as in stabilizing rumen fluid pH through saliva production. A total of 365 high-yielding Polish Holstein -Friesian multiparous dairy cows were included in the study covering 24 to 304 days of lactation. Next, the data from the cows were assigned to three groups based on daily rumination time: low rumination up to 412 min/day (up to 25th rumination percentile), medium rumination from 412 to 527 min/day (between the 25th and 75th percentile), and high rumination above 527 min/day (from the 75th percentile). We showed that a longer rumination time leads to a lower methane emission level. Therefore, strategies that increase chewing activity may be used to reduce the environmental impact of dairy cows production. Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the rumination time on milk yield and composition as well as methane emission during lactation in high-yielding dairy cows fed a partial mixed ration based on maize silage without pasture access. A total of 365 high-yielding Polish Holstein-Friesian multiparous dairy cows were included in the study covering 24 to 304 days of lactation. Methane emission, rumination time, and milk production traits were observed for the period of 12 months. Next, the data from the cows were assigned to three groups based on daily rumination time: low rumination up to 412 min/day (up to 25th rumination percentile), medium rumination from 412 to 527 min/day (between the 25th and 75th percentile), and high rumination above 527 min/day (from the 75th percentile). Rumination time had no effect on milk yield, energy-corrected milk yield, or fat and protein-corrected milk yield. High rumination time had an effect on lower fat concentration in milk compared with the medium and low rumination groups. The highest daily CH4 production was noted in low rumination cows, which emitted 1.8% more CH4 than medium rumination cows and 4.2% more than high rumination cows. Rumination time affected daily methane production per kg of milk. Cows from the high rumination group produced 2.9% less CH4 per milk unit compared to medium rumination cows and 4.6% in comparison to low rumination cows. Similar observations were noted for daily CH4 production per ECM unit. In conclusion, a longer rumination time is connected with lower methane emission as well as lower methane production per milk unit in high-yielding dairy cows fed a maize silage-based partial mixed ration without pasture access.
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25
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de Haas Y, Veerkamp RF, de Jong G, Aldridge MN. Selective breeding as a mitigation tool for methane emissions from dairy cattle. Animal 2021; 15 Suppl 1:100294. [PMID: 34246599 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The global livestock sector, particularly ruminants, contributes substantially to the total anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Management and dietary solutions to reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions are extensively researched. Animal breeding that exploits natural variation in CH4 emissions is an additional mitigation solution that is cost-effective, permanent, and cumulative. We quantified the effect of including CH4 production in the Dutch breeding goal using selection index theory. The current Dutch national index contains 15 traits, related to milk yield, longevity, health, fertility, conformation and feed efficiency. From the literature, we obtained a heritability of 0.21 for enteric CH4 production, and genetic correlations of 0.4 with milk lactose, protein, fat and DM intake. Correlations between enteric CH4 production and other traits in the breeding goal were set to zero. When including CH4 production in the current breeding goal with a zero economic value, CH4 production increases each year by 1.5 g/d as a correlated response. When extrapolating this, the average daily CH4 production of 392 g/d in 2018 will increase to 442 g/d in 2050 (+13%). However, expressing the CH4 production as CH4 intensity in the same period shows a reduction of 13%. By putting economic weight on CH4 production in the breeding goal, selective breeding can reduce the CH4 intensity even by 24% in 2050. This shows that breeding is a valuable contribution to the whole set of mitigation strategies that could be applied in order to achieve the goals for 2050 set by the EU. If the decision is made to implement animal breeding strategies to reduce enteric CH4 production, and to achieve the expected breeding impact, there needs to be a sufficient reliability of prediction. The only way to achieve that is to have enough animals phenotyped and genotyped. The power calculations offer insights into the difficulties that will be faced in trying to record enough data. Recording CH4 data on 100 farms (with on average 150 cows each) for at least 2 years is required to achieve the desired reliability of 0.40 for the genomic prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y de Haas
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - G de Jong
- CRV, 6800 AL Arnhem, the Netherlands
| | - M N Aldridge
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
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26
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Lahart B, Shalloo L, Herron J, O'Brien D, Fitzgerald R, Boland TM, Buckley F. Greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen efficiency of dairy cows of divergent economic breeding index under seasonal pasture-based management. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:8039-8049. [PMID: 33934859 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nitrogen (N) efficiencies were modeled for 2 genetic groups (GG) of Holstein-Friesian cows across 3 contrasting feeding treatments (FT). The 2 GG were (1) high economic breeding index (EBI) animals representative of the top 5% of cows nationally (elite) and (2) EBI representative of the national average (NA). The FT represented (1) generous feeding of pasture, (2) a slight restriction in pasture allowance, and (3) a high-concentrate feeding system with adequate pasture allowance. Greenhouse gas and N balance models were parameterized using outputs generated from the Moorepark Dairy Systems model, a stochastic budgetary simulation model, having integrated biological data pertaining to the 6 scenarios (2 GG × 3 FT) obtained from a 4-yr experiment conducted between 2013 and 2016. On a per hectare basis, total system GHG emissions were similar for both elite and NA across the 3 FT. Per unit of product, however, the elite group had 10% and 11% lower GHG emissions per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk and per kilogram of milk solids (MSO; fat + protein kg), respectively, compared with the NA across the 3 FT. The FT incorporating high concentrate supplementation had greater absolute GHG emissions per hectare as well as GHG per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk and MSO. The elite group had a slightly superior N use efficiency (N output/N input) and lower N surplus (N input - N output) compared with the NA group. The high concentrate FT had an inferior N use efficiency and a higher N surplus. The results of the current study demonstrate that breeding for increased EBI will lead to a general improvement in GHG emissions per unit of product as well as improved N efficiency. The results also illustrate that reducing concentrate supplementation will reduce GHG emissions, GHG emissions intensity, while improving N efficiency in the context of pasture-based dairy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lahart
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 N2E5, Ireland
| | - L Shalloo
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - J Herron
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - D O'Brien
- Crops, Environment, and Land Use Research Centre, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Y35 TC97, Ireland
| | - R Fitzgerald
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - T M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 N2E5, Ireland
| | - F Buckley
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland.
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27
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Saborío-Montero A, López-García A, Gutiérrez-Rivas M, Atxaerandio R, Goiri I, García-Rodriguez A, Jiménez-Montero JA, González C, Tamames J, Puente-Sánchez F, Varona L, Serrano M, Ovilo C, González-Recio O. A dimensional reduction approach to modulate the core ruminal microbiome associated with methane emissions via selective breeding. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:8135-8151. [PMID: 33896632 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-20005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The rumen is a complex microbial system of substantial importance in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and feed efficiency. This study proposes combining metagenomic and host genomic data for selective breeding of the cow hologenome toward reduced methane emissions. We analyzed nanopore long reads from the rumen metagenome of 437 Holstein cows from 14 commercial herds in 4 northern regions in Spain. After filtering, data were treated as compositional. The large complexity of the rumen microbiota was aggregated, through principal component analysis (PCA), into few principal components (PC) that were used as proxies of the core metagenome. The PCA allowed us to condense the huge and fuzzy taxonomical and functional information from the metagenome into a few PC. Bivariate animal models were applied using these PC and methane production as phenotypes. The variability condensed in these PC is controlled by the cow genome, with heritability estimates for the first PC of ~0.30 at all taxonomic levels, with a large probability (>83%) of the posterior distribution being >0.20 and with the 95% highest posterior density interval (95%HPD) not containing zero. Most genetic correlation estimates between PC1 and methane were large (≥0.70), with most of the posterior distribution (>82%) being >0.50 and with its 95%HPD not containing zero. Enteric methane production was positively associated with relative abundance of eukaryotes (protozoa and fungi) through the first component of the PCA at phylum, class, order, family, and genus. Nanopore long reads allowed the characterization of the core rumen metagenome using whole-metagenome sequencing, and the purposed aggregated variables could be used in animal breeding programs to reduce methane emissions in future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Saborío-Montero
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Escuela de Zootecnia y Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal, Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501 San José, Costa Rica
| | - Adrían López-García
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Gutiérrez-Rivas
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Atxaerandio
- Department of Animal Production, NEIKER-Tecnalia, Granja Modelo de Arkaute, Apdo. 46, 01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Idoia Goiri
- Department of Animal Production, NEIKER-Tecnalia, Granja Modelo de Arkaute, Apdo. 46, 01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Aser García-Rodriguez
- Department of Animal Production, NEIKER-Tecnalia, Granja Modelo de Arkaute, Apdo. 46, 01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - José A Jiménez-Montero
- Spanish Holstein Association (CONAFE), Ctra. de Andalucía km 23600 Valdemoro, 28340 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen González
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Tamames
- Department of Systems Biology, Spanish Center for Biotechnology, CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luis Varona
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Magdalena Serrano
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ovilo
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar González-Recio
- Departamento de mejora genética animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Crta. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Producción Agraria. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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28
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González-Recio O, López-Paredes J, Ouatahar L, Charfeddine N, Ugarte E, Alenda R, Jiménez-Montero J. Mitigation of greenhouse gases in dairy cattle via genetic selection: 2. Incorporating methane emissions into the breeding goal. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:7210-7221. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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