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Haak T, Münger A, Ampuero Kragten S, Bruckmaier RM, Südekum KH, Schori F. Assessing short-term feed efficiency and its association with biological markers in herbage-fed dairy cows. Animal 2024; 18:101211. [PMID: 38935984 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101211] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Feed efficiency is an important trait of dairy production. However, assessing feed efficiency is constrained by the associated cost and difficulty in measuring individual feed intake, especially on pastures. The objective of this study was to investigate short-term feed efficiency traits of herbage-fed dairy cows and screening of potential biomarkers (n = 238). Derived feed efficiency traits were ratio-based (i.e., feed conversion ratio (FCR) and N use efficiency (NUE)) or residual-based (i.e., residual feed intake (RFI), residual energy intake (REI), and residual N intake (RNI)). Thirty-eight Holstein and 16 Swiss Fleckvieh dairy cows underwent a 7-d measurement period during mid- and/or late-lactation. The experimental data (n = 100 measurement points) covered different lactational and herbage-fed system situations: mid-lactation grazing (n = 56), late-lactation grazing (n = 28), and late-lactation barn feeding (n = 16). During each measuring period, the individual herbage intake of each cow was estimated using the n-alkane marker technique. For each cow, biomarkers representing milk constituents (n = 109), animal characteristics (n = 13), behaviour, and activity (n = 46), breath emissions (n = 3), blood constituents (n = 35), surface, and rectal temperature (n = 29), hair cortisol (n = 1), and near-infrared (NIR) spectra of faeces and milk (n = 2) were obtained. The relationships between biomarkers and efficiency traits were statistically analysed with univariate linear regression and for NIR spectra using partial least squares regression with feed efficiency traits. The feed efficiency traits were interrelated with each other (r: -0.57 to -0.86 and 0.49-0.81). The biomarkers showed varying R2 values in explaining the variability of feed efficiency traits (FCR: 0.00-0.66, NUE: 0.00-0.74, RFI: 0.00-0.56, REI: 0.00-0.69, RNI: 0.00-0.89). Overall, the feed efficiency traits were best explained by NIR spectral characteristics of milk and faeces (R2: 0.25-0.89). Biomarkers show potential for predicting feed efficiency in herbage-fed dairy cows. NIR spectra data analysis of milk and faeces presents a promising method for estimating individual feed efficiency upon further validation of prediction models. Future applications will depend on the ability to improve the robustness of biomarkers to predict feed efficiency in a greater variety of environments (locations), managing conditions, feeding systems, production intensities, and other aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Haak
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Tioleyre 4, Posieux, Switzerland; Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, Bonn, Germany
| | - A Münger
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Tioleyre 4, Posieux, Switzerland
| | - S Ampuero Kragten
- Method Development and Analytics, Agroscope, Tioleyre 4, Posieux, Switzerland
| | - R M Bruckmaier
- Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - K-H Südekum
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, Bonn, Germany
| | - F Schori
- Ruminant Nutrition and Emissions, Agroscope, Tioleyre 4, Posieux, Switzerland.
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Corrêa PS, Fernandes MA, Jimenez CR, Mendes LW, Lima PDMT, Abdalla AL, Louvandini H. Interaction between methanotrophy and gastrointestinal nematodes infection on the rumen microbiome of lambs. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae083. [PMID: 38821514 PMCID: PMC11165275 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Complex cross-talk occurs between gastrointestinal nematodes and gut symbiotic microbiota, with consequences for animal metabolism. To investigate the connection between methane production and endoparasites, this study evaluated the effect of mixed infection with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis on methanogenic and methanotrophic community in rumen microbiota of lambs using shotgun metagenomic and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The rumen content was collected from six Santa Inês lambs, (7 months old) before and after 42 days infection by esophageal tube. The metagenomic analysis showed that the infection affected the microbial community structure leading to decreased abundance of methanotrophs bacteria, i.e. α-proteobacteria and β-proteobacteria, anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME), protozoa, sulfate-reducing bacteria, syntrophic bacteria with methanogens, geobacter, and genes related to pyruvate, fatty acid, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolisms, ribulose monophosphate cycle, and Entner-Doudoroff Pathway. Additionally, the abundance of methanogenic archaea and the mcrA gene did not change. The co-occurrence networks enabled us to identify the interactions between each taxon in microbial communities and to determine the reshaping of rumen microbiome associations by gastrointestinal nematode infection. Besides, the correlation between ANMEs was lower in the animal's postinfection. Our findings suggest that gastrointestinal parasites potentially lead to decreased methanotrophic metabolism-related microorganisms and genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Spoto Corrêa
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Murilo Antonio Fernandes
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Carolina Rodriguez Jimenez
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas William Mendes
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo de Mello Tavares Lima
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, United States
| | - Adibe Luiz Abdalla
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Helder Louvandini
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 303 Centenario Avenue, Piracicaba, SP 13416-000, Brazil
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Wang W, Dong Y, Guo W, Zhang X, Degen AA, Bi S, Ding L, Chen X, Long R. Linkages between rumen microbiome, host, and environment in yaks, and their implications for understanding animal production and management. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1301258. [PMID: 38348184 PMCID: PMC10860762 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1301258] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Livestock on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is of great importance for the livelihood of the local inhabitants and the ecosystem of the plateau. The natural, harsh environment has shaped the adaptations of local livestock while providing them with requisite eco-services. Over time, unique genes and metabolic mechanisms (nitrogen and energy) have evolved which enabled the yaks to adapt morphologically and physiologically to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The rumen microbiota has also co-evolved with the host and contributed to the host's adaptation to the environment. Understanding the complex linkages between the rumen microbiota, the host, and the environment is essential to optimizing the rumen function to meet the growing demands for animal products while minimizing the environmental impact of ruminant production. However, little is known about the mechanisms of host-rumen microbiome-environment linkages and how they ultimately benefit the animal in adapting to the environment. In this review, we pieced together the yak's adaptation to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau ecosystem by summarizing the natural selection and nutritional features of yaks and integrating the key aspects of its rumen microbiome with the host metabolic efficiency and homeostasis. We found that this homeostasis results in higher feed digestibility, higher rumen microbial protein production, higher short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, and lower methane emissions in yaks when compared with other low-altitude ruminants. The rumen microbiome forms a multi-synergistic relationship among the rumen microbiota services, their communities, genes, and enzymes. The rumen microbial proteins and SCFAs act as precursors that directly impact the milk composition or adipose accumulation, improving the milk or meat quality, resulting in a higher protein and fat content in yak milk and a higher percentage of protein and abundant fatty acids in yak meat when compared to dairy cow or cattle. The hierarchical interactions between the climate, forage, rumen microorganisms, and host genes have reshaped the animal's survival and performance. In this review, an integrating and interactive understanding of the host-rumen microbiome environment was established. The understanding of these concepts is valuable for agriculture and our environment. It also contributes to a better understanding of microbial ecology and evolution in anaerobic ecosystems and the host-environment linkages to improve animal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuntao Dong
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - A. Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sisi Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Luming Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Ruijun Long
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Diaz GR, Gaire TN, Ferm P, Case L, Caixeta LS, Goldsmith TJ, Armstrong J, Noyes NR. Effect of castration timing and weaning strategy on the taxonomic and functional profile of ruminal bacteria and archaea of beef calves. Anim Microbiome 2023; 5:61. [PMID: 38041127 PMCID: PMC10691087 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00284-2] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beef cattle experience several management challenges across their lifecycle. Castration and weaning, two major interventions in the early life of beef cattle, can have a substantial impact on animal performance. Despite the key role of the rumen microbiome on productive traits of beef cattle, the effect of castration timing and weaning strategy on this microbial community has not been formally described. We assessed the effect of four castration time windows (at birth, turnout, pre-weaning and weaning) and two weaning strategies (fence-line and truck transportation) on the rumen microbiome in a randomized controlled study with 32 male calves across 3 collection days (i.e., time points). Ruminal fluid samples were submitted to shotgun metagenomic sequencing and changes in the taxonomic (microbiota) and functional profile (metagenome) of the rumen microbiome were described. RESULTS Using a comprehensive yet stringent taxonomic classification approach, we identified 10,238 unique taxa classified under 40 bacterial and 7 archaeal phyla across all samples. Castration timing had a limited long-term impact on the rumen microbiota and was not associated with changes in alpha and beta diversity. The interaction of collection day and weaning strategy was associated with changes in the rumen microbiota, which experienced a significant decrease in alpha diversity and shifts in beta diversity within 48 h post-weaning, especially in calves abruptly weaned by truck transportation. Calves weaned using a fence-line weaning strategy had lower relative abundance of Bacteroides, Lachnospira, Fibrobacter and Ruminococcus genera compared to calves weaned by truck transportation. Some genes involved in the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway (fwdB and fwdF) had higher relative abundance in fence-line-weaned calves post-weaning. The antimicrobial resistance gene tetW consistently represented more than 50% of the resistome across time, weaning and castration groups, without significant changes in relative abundance. CONCLUSIONS Within the context of this study, castration timing had limited long-term effects on the rumen microbiota, while weaning strategy had short-term effects on the rumen microbiota and methane-associated metagenome, but not on the rumen resistome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo R Diaz
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Tara N Gaire
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Peter Ferm
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Lacey Case
- North Central Research and Outreach Center, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Luciano S Caixeta
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Timothy J Goldsmith
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Joe Armstrong
- Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems, University of Minnesota Extension, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Noelle R Noyes
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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Linde DA, Schokker D, du Toit CJL, Ramkilawon GD, van Marle-Köster E. The Effect of a Bacillus Probiotic and Essential Oils Compared to an Ionophore on the Rumen Microbiome Composition of Feedlot Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2927. [PMID: 37760327 PMCID: PMC10525249 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182927] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising concern of antibiotic growth promoter use in livestock has necessitated the investigation into alternative feed additives. The effect of a probiotic and essential oils to an ionophore on the rumen microbiome composition of Bonsmara bulls raised under feedlot conditions was compared. Forty-eight Bonsmara weaners were allocated to four groups: a group with basal diet (CON) and three groups supplemented with monensin (MON), probiotic (PRO), and essential oils (EO). During the 120 days feeding period, rumen content was collected from four animals per group within each phase via a stomach tube for 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing as well as volatile fatty acid analysis. In the starter phase, MON had a significantly lower acetate to propionate ratio and a higher Succinivibrionaceae abundance. The abundance of Lachnospiraceae was significantly higher in EO compared to MON. In the finisher phase, PRO had a significantly higher bacterial diversity. The alpha diversity did not differ between the fungal populations of the groups. The abundance of Proteobacteria was the lowest in PRO compared to the other groups. Limited variation was observed between the rumen microbiome composition of monensin compared to the other treatment groups, indicating that these alternatives can be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Linde
- Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0043, South Africa
| | - Dirkjan Schokker
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Eom JS, Park DS, Lee SJ, Gu BH, Lee SJ, Lee SS, Kim SH, Kim BW, Lee SS, Kim M. Metabolomic and transcriptomic study to understand changes in metabolic and immune responses in steers under heat stress. ANIMAL NUTRITION 2022; 11:87-101. [PMID: 36189376 PMCID: PMC9483736 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Heat stress (HS) damages livestock by adversely affecting physiological and immunological functions. However, fundamental understanding of the metabolic and immunological mechanisms in animals under HS remains elusive, particularly in steers. To understand the changes on metabolic and immune responses in steers under HS condition, we performed RNA-sequencing and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabolomics on HS-free (THI value: 64.92 ± 0.56) and HS-exposed (THI value: 79.13 ± 0.56) Jersey steer (n = 8, body weight: 559.67 ± 32.72 kg). This study clarifies the metabolic changes in 3 biofluids (rumen fluid, serum, and urine) and the immune responses observed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HS-exposed steers. This integrated approach allowed the discovery of HS-sensitive metabolic and immunological pathways. The metabolomic analysis indicated that HS-exposed steers showed potential HS biomarkers such as isocitrate, formate, creatine, and riboflavin (P < 0.05). Among them, there were several integrative metabolic pathways between rumen fluid and serum. Furthermore, HS altered mRNA expression and immune-related signaling pathways. A meta-analysis revealed that HS decreased riboflavin metabolism and the expression of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism-related genes. Moreover, metabolic pathways, such as the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway, were downregulated in immune cells by HS (P < 0.05). These findings, along with the datasets of pathways and phenotypic differences as potential biomarkers in steers, can support more in-depth research to elucidate the inter-related metabolic and immunological pathways. This would help suggest new strategies to ameliorate the effects of HS, including disease susceptibility and metabolic disorders, in Jersey steers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sik Eom
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Som Park
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon-Hee Gu
- Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Ja Lee
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
- University-Centered Labs, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Suk Lee
- Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Ho Kim
- Ruminant Nutrition and Anaerobe Laboratory, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, 57922, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Woo Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Sill Lee
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
- University-Centered Labs, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Myunghoo Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
- Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute, Pusan National University, Miryang, 50463, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding authors.
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Omontese BO, Sharma AK, Davison S, Jacobson E, DiConstanzo A, Webb MJ, Gomez A. Microbiome network traits in the rumen predict average daily gain in beef cattle under different backgrounding systems. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:25. [PMID: 35346381 PMCID: PMC8961956 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00175-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Backgrounding (BKG), the stage between weaning and finishing, significantly impacts feedlot performance in beef cattle; however, the contributions of the rumen microbiome to this growth stage remain unexplored. A longitudinal study was designed to assess how BKG affects rumen bacterial communities and average daily gain (ADG) in beef cattle. At weaning, 38 calves were randomly assigned to three BKG systems for 55 days (d): a high roughage diet within a dry lot (DL, n = 13); annual cover crop within a strip plot (CC, n = 13); and perennial pasture vegetation within rotational paddocks (PP, n = 12), as before weaning. After BKG, all calves were placed in a feedlot for 142 d and finished with a high energy ration. Calves were weighed periodically from weaning to finishing to determine ADG. Rumen bacterial communities were profiled by collecting fluid samples via oral probe and sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, at weaning, during BKG and finishing. Results Rumen bacterial communities diverged drastically among calves once they were placed in each BKG system, including sharp decreases in alpha diversity for CC and DL calves only (P < 0.001). During BKG, DL calves showed a substantial increase of Proteobacteria (Succinivibrionaceae family) (P < 0.001), which also corresponded with greater ADG (P < 0.05). At the finishing stage, Proteobacteria bloomed for all calves, with no previous alpha or beta diversity differences being retained between groups. However, at finishing, PP calves showed a compensatory ADG, particularly greater than that in calves coming from DL BKG (P = 0.02). Microbiome network traits such as lower average shortest path length, and increased neighbor connectivity, degree, number and strength of bacterial interactions between rumen bacteria better predicted ADG during BKG and finishing than variation in specific taxonomic profiles. Conclusions Bacterial co-abundance interactions, as measured by network theory approaches, better predicted growth performance in beef cattle during BKG and finishing, than the abundance of specific taxa. These findings underscore the importance of early post weaning stages as potential targets for feeding interventions that can enhance metabolic interactions between rumen bacteria, to increase productive performance in beef cattle. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-022-00175-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobwealth O Omontese
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.,Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL, 35762, USA
| | - Ashok K Sharma
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Samuel Davison
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Emily Jacobson
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Alfredo DiConstanzo
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Megan J Webb
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.,Community Engagement and Partnerships, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Moorefield, WV, 26836, USA
| | - Andres Gomez
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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Fregulia P, Neves ALA, Dias RJP, Campos MM. A review of rumen parameters in bovines with divergent feed efficiencies: What do these parameters tell us about improving animal productivity and sustainability? Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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9
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Marie-Etancelin C, Tortereau F, Gabinaud B, Martinez Boggio G, Le Graverand Q, Marcon D, De Almeida ML, Pascal G, Weisbecker JL, Meynadier A. Apart From the Diet, the Ruminal Microbiota of Lambs Is Modified in Relation to Their Genetic Potential for Feed Efficiency or Feeding Behavior. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:759432. [PMID: 34759912 PMCID: PMC8573263 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.759432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Using two successive types of diets (100% concentrate and 67% forage), this study explores the relationship between the ruminal microbiota of 78 Romane lambs and their feed efficiency (residual feed intake trait) or feeding behavior (feeding rate trait). Analysis was carried out phenotypically by correlating feed efficiency or feeding behavior traits with the relative abundance of bacteria at the phylum, family, and genus levels, and then genetically by comparing the microbiota of lambs selected for extreme breeding values for residual feed intake or feeding rate. Our results confirmed the major effect of diet on the ruminal microbiota composition. The microbiota of lambs consuming a forage-based diet was distinguished by higher microbial diversity and also by higher relative abundance of Firmicutes, whereas Bacteriodetes and Actinobacteria were relatively more abundant in the microbiota of lambs consuming a concentrate-based diet. Moreover, the comparison of lambs divergent for residual feed intake breeding values revealed that regardless of diet, more efficient lambs possessed a ruminal microbiota enriched in Coprococcus, Moryella, [Eubacterium] Brachy group, and [Eubacterium] hallii group, but depleted in Lachnospiraceae FD2005 and Shuttleworthia. The connection between microbiota composition and feeding rate was more tenuous, with no link between the abundance of particular genera and lambs genetically divergent for feeding rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavie Tortereau
- GenPhySE, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Beatrice Gabinaud
- GenPhySE, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Géraldine Pascal
- GenPhySE, INRAE, INPT, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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Taxonomic annotation of 16S rRNA sequences of pig intestinal samples using MG-RAST and QIIME2 generated different microbiota compositions. J Microbiol Methods 2021; 186:106235. [PMID: 33974954 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental microbiome studies rely on fast and accurate bioinformatics tools to characterize the taxonomic composition of samples based on the 16S rRNA gene. MetaGenome Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (MG-RAST) and Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2 (QIIME2) are two of the most popular tools available to perform this task. Their underlying algorithms differ in many aspects, and therefore the comparison of the pipelines provides insights into their best use and interpretation of the outcomes. Both of these bioinformatics tools are based on several specialized algorithms pipelined together, but whereas MG-RAST is a user-friendly webserver that clusters rRNA sequences based on their similarity to create Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU), QIIME2 employs DADA2 in the construction of Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASV) by applying an error model that considers the abundance of each sequence and its similarity to other sequences. Taxonomic compositions obtained from the analyses of amplicon sequences of DNA from swine intestinal gut and faecal microbiota samples using MG-RAST and QIIME2 were compared at domain-, phylum-, family- and genus-levels in terms of richness, relative abundance and diversity. We found significant differences between the microbiota profiles obtained from each pipeline. At domain level, bacteria were relatively more abundant using QIIME2 than MG-RAST; at phylum level, seven taxa were identified exclusively by QIIME2; at family level, samples processed in QIIME2 showed higher evenness and richness (assessed by Shannon and Simpson indices). The genus-level compositions obtained from each pipeline were used in partial least squares-discriminant analyses (PLS-DA) to discriminate between sample collection sites (caecum, colon and faeces). The results showed that different genera were found to be significant for the models, based on the Variable Importance in Projection, e.g. when using sequencing data processed by MG-RAST, the three most important genera were Acetitomaculum, Ruminococcus and Methanosphaera, whereas when data was processed using QIIME2, these were Candidatus Methanomethylophilus, Sphaerochaeta and Anaerorhabdus. Furthermore, the application of differential filtering procedures before the PLS-DA revealed higher accuracy when using non-restricted datasets obtained from MG-RAST, whereas datasets obtained from QIIME2 resulted in more accurate discrimination of sample collection sites after removing genera with low relative abundances (<1%) from the datasets. Our results highlight the differences in taxonomic compositions of samples obtained from the two separate pipelines, while underlining the impact on downstream analyses, such as biomarkers identification.
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Costa-Roura S, Villalba D, Blanco M, Casasús I, Balcells J, Seradj AR. Ruminal microbiota is associated with feed-efficiency phenotype of fattening bulls fed high-concentrate diets. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Context Improving feed efficiency in livestock production is of great importance to reduce feeding costs. Aims To examine the relationship between ruminal microbiota and variation in feed efficiency in beef cattle fed concentrate-based diets. Methods Residual feed intake of 389 fattening bulls, supplied with corn-based concentrate and forage ad libitum, was used to estimate animals’ feed efficiency. Faeces and ruminal fluid samples, from 48 bulls chosen at random, were collected to estimate their forage intake and to determine their apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbiota. Those animals with extreme values of feed efficiency (high-efficiency (HE, n = 12) and low-efficiency (LE, n = 13)) were subjected to further comparisons. Alpha biodiversity was calculated on the basis of the normalised sequence data. Beta diversity was approached through performing a canonical correspondence analysis based on log-transformed sequence data. Genera differential abundance was tested with an ANOVA-like differential expression analysis and genera interactions were determined applying the sparse correlations for compositional data technique. Key results No differences in dry matter intake were found between the two categories of feed efficiency (P = 0.699); however, HE animals had higher apparent digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.002), organic matter (P = 0.003) and crude protein (P = 0.043). The concentration of volatile fatty acids was unaffected by feed efficiency (P = 0.676) but butyrate proportion increased with time in LE animals (P = 0.047). Ruminal microbiota was different between HE and LE animals (P = 0.022); both α biodiversity and genera network connectance increased with time in LE bulls (P = 0.005 for Shannon index and P = 0.020 for Simpson index), which suggests that LE animals hosted a more robust ruminal microbiota. Certain genera usually related to high energy loss through methane production were found to establish more connections with other genera in LE animals’ rumen than in HE ones. Microbiota function capability suggested that methane metabolism was decreased in HE finishing bulls. Conclusions Rumen microbiota was associated with feed efficiency phenotypes in fattening bulls fed concentrate-based diets. Implications The possible trade-off between feed efficiency and robustness of ruminal microbiota should be taken into account for the optimisation of cattle production, especially in systems with intrinsic characteristics that may constitute a disturbance to rumen microbial community.
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Brito LF, Oliveira HR, Houlahan K, Fonseca PA, Lam S, Butty AM, Seymour DJ, Vargas G, Chud TC, Silva FF, Baes CF, Cánovas A, Miglior F, Schenkel FS. Genetic mechanisms underlying feed utilization and implementation of genomic selection for improved feed efficiency in dairy cattle. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2019-0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The economic importance of genetically improving feed efficiency has been recognized by cattle producers worldwide. It has the potential to considerably reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, optimize land and resource use efficiency, and improve the overall cattle industry’s profitability. Feed efficiency is a genetically complex trait that can be described as units of product output (e.g., milk yield) per unit of feed input. The main objective of this review paper is to present an overview of the main genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying feed utilization in ruminants and the process towards implementation of genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle. In summary, feed efficiency can be improved via numerous metabolic pathways and biological mechanisms through genetic selection. Various studies have indicated that feed efficiency is heritable, and genomic selection can be successfully implemented in dairy cattle with a large enough training population. In this context, some organizations have worked collaboratively to do research and develop training populations for successful implementation of joint international genomic evaluations. The integration of “-omics” technologies, further investments in high-throughput phenotyping, and identification of novel indicator traits will also be paramount in maximizing the rates of genetic progress for feed efficiency in dairy cattle worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Hinayah R. Oliveira
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- 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
| | - Pablo A.S. Fonseca
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stephanie Lam
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Adrien M. Butty
- 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
| | - Giovana Vargas
- 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
| | - Fabyano F. Silva
- Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais 36570-000, Brazil
| | - 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, Bern 3001, Switzerland
| | - Angela Cánovas
- 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
| | - 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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Brooke CG, Najafi N, Dykier KC, Hess M. Prevotella copri, a potential indicator for high feed efficiency in western steers. Anim Sci J 2019; 90:696-701. [PMID: 30848016 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There has been a great interest to identify a microbial marker that can be used to predict feed efficiency of beef cattle. Such a marker, specifically one that would allow an early identification of animals with high feed efficiency for future breeding efforts, would facilitate increasing the profitability of cattle operations and simultaneously render them more sustainable by reducing their methane footprint. The work presented here suggests that Prevotella copri might be an ideal microbial marker for identifying beef cattle with high feed efficiency early in their life span and in the production cycle. Developing more refined quantification techniques that allow correlation of P. copri to feed efficiency of beef cattle that can be applied by lay people in the field holds great promise to improve the economy of cattle operations while simultaneously reducing their environmental impact by mitigating methane production from enteric fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Brooke
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Negeen Najafi
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Matthias Hess
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Paz HA, Hales KE, Wells JE, Kuehn LA, Freetly HC, Berry ED, Flythe MD, Spangler ML, Fernando SC. Rumen bacterial community structure impacts feed efficiency in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:1045-1058. [PMID: 29617864 PMCID: PMC6093515 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skx081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the rumen microbiota on nutrient cycling to the animal is well recognized; however, our understanding of the influence of the rumen microbiome composition on feed efficiency is limited. The rumen microbiomes of two large animal cohorts (125 heifers and 122 steers) were characterized to identify specific bacterial members (operational taxonomic units [OTUs]) associated with feed efficiency traits (ADFI, ADG, and G:F) in beef cattle. The heifer and steer cohorts were fed a forage-based diet and a concentrate-based diet, respectively. A rumen sample was obtained from each animal via esophageal tubing and bacterial community composition was determined through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4 region. Based on a regression approach that used individual performance measures, animals were classified into divergent feed efficiency groups. Within cohort, an extreme set of 16 animals from these divergent groups was selected as a discovery population to identify differentially abundant OTUs across the rumen bacterial communities. The remaining samples from each cohort were selected to perform forward stepwise regressions using the differentially abundant OTUs as explanatory variables to distinguish predictive OTUs for the feed efficiency traits and to quantify the OTUs collective impact on feed efficiency phenotypes. OTUs belonging to the families Prevotellaceae and Victivallaceae were present across models for heifers, whereas OTUs belonging to the families Prevotellaceae and Lachnospiraceae were present across models for steers. Within the heifer cohort, models explained 19.3%, 25.3%, and 19.8% of the variation for ADFI, ADG, and G:F, respectively. Within the steer cohort, models explained 27.7%, 32.5%, and 26.9% of the variation for ADFI, ADG, and G:F, respectively. Overall, this study suggests a substantial role of the rumen microbiome on feed efficiency responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry A Paz
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Kristin E Hales
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | - James E Wells
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | - Larry A Kuehn
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | | | - Elaine D Berry
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | | | - Matthew L Spangler
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Samodha C Fernando
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.,Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
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