Comparison of the microbial communities of alpacas and sheep fed diets with three different ratios of corn stalk to concentrate

Effects of Whole-Plant Corn Silage on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, and Fecal Microorganisms in Hezuo Pigs

In this study, we investigated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different proportions of whole-plant corn silage on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, and intestinal microorganisms in Hezuo pigs. Thirty-two two-month-old Hezuo pigs (body weight: 7.88 ± 0.81 kg) were randomly divided into four groups of eight pigs (half male, half female) each. The control (CON) group received a basal diet, while the three experimental groups were fed the basal diet, part of which had been replaced with 5%, 10%, and 15% whole-plant corn silage, respectively. The experiment lasted for 127 days, including 7 days of pre-testing and 120 days of formal testing. At the end of the experiment, blood and fecal samples were collected. Compared with the CON group, the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly lower in the 10% test group (p < 0.05), whereas the total protein, albumin, triglyceride, and glucose contents were significantly higher (p < 0.05). No significant differences in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed among the groups (p > 0.05). The addition of whole-plant corn silage to the diet significantly increased alpha diversity in the pig gut based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The principal coordinate analysis results showed significant clustering of the different groups (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the addition of whole-plant corn silage to the diet significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Firmicutes and significantly increased (p < 0.05) that of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Streptococcus significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing silage supplementation levels, whereas species diversity significantly increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 10% is the recommended inclusion ratio for whole-plant corn silage in the diets of pigs.

Comparison of automatic methods MALDI-TOF, VITEK2 and manual methods for the identification of intestinal microbial communities on the example of samples from alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Introduction

Universally, in microbiological diagnostics the detection of live bacteria is essential. Rapid identification of pathogens enables appropriate remedial measures to be taken. The identification of many bacteria simultaneously facilitates the determination of the characteristics of the accompanying microbiota and/or the microbiological complexity of a given environment.

Material and Methods

The effectiveness of the VITEK2 Compact automated microbial identification system and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), analytical profile index (API) and Remel RapID tests were compared in identification of bacteria isolated from the alpaca gastrointestinal tract.

Results

Most isolates were Gram-positive, such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus flexus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis; Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus casseliflavus; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus equorum, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus sciuri; Paenibacillus amylolyticus; Cellulosimicrobium cellulans; Leuconostoc mesenteroides; Clostridium perfringens; Corynebacterium stationis, Corynebacterium xerosis, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (the last only isolated manually by API Coryne and the VITEK2 system and Corynebacteria (CBC) card). Corynebacterium diphtheriae was misidentified by MALDI-TOF MS as Candida lipolytica (currently Yarrowia lipolytica). Gram-positive and Gram-variable Micrococcus luteus were also isolated. Gram-negative Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter gergoviae, Enterobacter hormaechei and Enterobacter ludwigii; E. coli; Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae; Citrobacter braakii and Citrobacter freundii; Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia odorifera and Serratia marcescens; Morganella morganii subsp. morganii; Providencia alcalifaciens; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Moraxella osloensis; and Ochrobactrum intermedium were also found. The yeasts Candida albicans, Candida haemulonii and Candida ciferrii were also present.

Conclusion

MALDI-TOF MS enabled the identification of pathogens and opportunistic pathogens from the alpaca gut which may represent a high risk to human and animal health.

Feeding whole-plant ensiled corn stover affects growth performance, blood parameters, and Cecal microbiota of Holdobagy goose

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding whole-plant ensiled corn stalks (WECS) to the diet of Holdorbagy geese on their growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. Geese farming is an important agricultural practice, and optimizing their diet can contribute to better growth and health outcomes. However, there is limited research on the utilization of WECS as a feed source for geese. Understanding the potential effects of WECS on growth, blood parameters, and cecal microbiota can provide valuable insights into its feasibility and impact on geese farming practices.

Methods

A total of 144 six-week-old Holdorbagy geese were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (0% WECS), a group fed 15% WECS and 85% concentrated feed (15% WECS), and a group fed 30% WECS and 70% concentrated feed (30% WECS). The trial period lasted for three weeks, during which the growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota were assessed.

Results

The results revealed significant findings in different aspects. Firstly, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G ratio) of the 15% WECS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), indicating potential challenges in feed efficiency. Additionally, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of both the 15% and 30% WECS groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), suggesting increased appetite or palatability of the diet containing WECS. In terms of serum parameters, the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the 30% WECS group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, there was a tendency for increasing Fe levels and decreasing Zn levels with higher levels of WECS supplementation, although the differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, the principal coordinate analysis showed significant differences in the composition of cecal microbiota among the three groups (p < 0.01). The observed_species, Shannon, and Pielou_e indices of the 30% WECS group were significantly higher than those of the 0% and 15% WECS groups (p<0.05), while the Simpson index of the 15% WECS group was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05).

Discussion

The results indicate that the addition of WECS to the geese diet has both positive and negative effects. The study suggests that WECS can be a long-term stable feed source for geese, which can contribute to reducing feeding costs. However, it is important to monitor the amount of WECS added as it can affect the absorption of Zn by geese. Supplementation of Zn in the diet might be necessary to meet the needs of geese. Notably, adding 30% WECS to the diet can increase the richness, evenness, and diversity of the cecal microbiota, indicating potential benefits to gut health. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of WECS as a feed source for geese. It provides valuable insights into the effects of WECS on growth performance, serum parameters, and cecal microbiota. These findings contribute to optimizing geese farming practices, improving feed utilization, and enhancing overall productivity and well-being of geese. Further research is needed to determine the optimal inclusion level of WECS and to explore strategies for mitigating any negative effects.

Diversity of growth performance and rumen microbiota vary with feed types

Diet is a major factor in influencing the growth performance and the microbial community of lambs. This study aimed to investigate how diverse diets influence their growth performance and rumen microbiota. Ninety male lambs were randomly allocated into three groups in a completely randomized design with equal lambs: non-pelleted native grass hay (HA) as the control diet and pelleted native grass hay (GP) and pelleted native grass hay with concentrate (GPC) as experimental diets. The rumen fluid samples of the lambs in the HA, GP, and GPC groups were used to study rumen microbiota diversity through 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. In the present study, the final body weight, dry matter intake, and average daily gain differed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) among the HA, GP, and GPC groups. Compared to the HA group, higher final body weight, dry matter intake, and average daily gain were found in the GP group. Similarly, better animal performance was observed in the GPC group than in the GP group. The principal coordinates analysis displayed that the composition of the rumen microbiota in the three groups was distinctly separated from each other. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant members of the community in the HA and GP groups, while Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria became the predominant members in the GPC group. The comparison among these groups showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences in Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Prevotella_1, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, and Succiniclasticum. These results suggest that the GP and GPC diets are more beneficial for growth performance than the HA diet and also indicate that the rumen microbiota varied in response to different feed types. In conclusion, these results could provide strategies to influence rumen microbiota for better growth and a healthier ecosystem on the Mongolian Plateau and lay the theoretical groundwork for feeding the pelleted native grass diet.

The association between fecal microbiota, age and endoparasitism in adult alpacas

Endoparasitism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in alpacas (Lama pacos), with growing emergence of anthelmintic resistance. The purpose of the study was to correlate nematode worm burden and selected host phenotypic characteristics, such as age and weight, with the composition of the intestinal microbiota of adult alpacas. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from 102 healthy adult (2.1-11.2 years) alpacas at 3 separate timepoints (pre- and post-treatment with 8.8 mg/kg oral Levamisole HCL, and 4.6 months later) at a single farm. The profile of the fecal bacterial microbiota was characterized using 16S amplicon sequencing. Serial clinical exams and fecal egg counts were compared using related-samples analyses. The fecal microbiota of identically managed, healthy alpacas was characterized by a high level of temporal stability, as both α and β-diversity significantly correlated between sampling timepoints. Pairwise β-diversity between samples collected at each timepoint was low, ranging from 0.16-0.21 UniFrac distance units. The intensity of strongylid nematode infection (including Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus) was only significantly correlated with microbiota composition in samples collected 14 days after treatment with levamisole. Analysis of similarity revealed no clustering of microbiota from anthelmintic responders or non-responders. Alpaca age explained the largest proportion of fecal microbiota variation and was the only consistently significant predictor of fecal microbiota taxonomic composition, by impacting the ratio of relative Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes abundance. Firmicutes, mostly Clostridiales, was the most abundant taxon across all collections.