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Pokhrel B, Jiang H. Postnatal Growth and Development of the Rumen: Integrating Physiological and Molecular Insights. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:269. [PMID: 38666881 PMCID: PMC11048093 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The rumen plays an essential role in the physiology and production of agriculturally important ruminants such as cattle. Functions of the rumen include fermentation, absorption, metabolism, and protection. Cattle are, however, not born with a functional rumen, and the rumen undergoes considerable changes in size, histology, physiology, and transcriptome from birth to adulthood. In this review, we discuss these changes in detail, the factors that affect these changes, and the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate these changes. The introduction of solid feed to the rumen is essential for rumen growth and functional development in post-weaning calves. Increasing evidence suggests that solid feed stimulates rumen growth and functional development through butyric acid and other volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced by microbial fermentation of feed in the rumen and that VFAs stimulate rumen growth and functional development through hormones such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or through direct actions on energy production, chromatin modification, and gene expression. Given the role of the rumen in ruminant physiology and performance, it is important to further study the cellular, molecular, genomic, and epigenomic mechanisms that control rumen growth and development in postnatal ruminants. A better understanding of these mechanisms could lead to the development of novel strategies to enhance the growth and development of the rumen and thereby the productivity and health of cattle and other agriculturally important ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Honglin Jiang
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
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Zhang K, Zhang Y, Qin J, Zhu H, Liu N, Sun D, Yin Y, Mao S, Zhu W, Huang Z, Liu J. Early concentrate starter introduction induces rumen epithelial parakeratosis by blocking keratinocyte differentiation with excessive ruminal butyrate accumulation. J Adv Res 2023:S2090-1232(23)00401-0. [PMID: 38128723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rumen epithelial parakeratosis, a common disease in ruminants caused by abnormalities in the ruminal stratified squamous epithelial keratinization process, negatively impacts ruminant health and performance. However, we still lack a comprehensive perception of the underlying mechanisms and the predisposing factors for this disorder. OBJECTIVES Here, we investigated rumen epithelial cell heterogeneity, differentiation trajectories, and cornification to clarify the rumen epithelial keratinization process and discern the key ruminal metabolites contributing to rumen epithelial parakeratosis. METHODS Twenty-four 14-day-old lambs were divided into three groups, including only milk feeding, milk plus alfalfa hay feeding, and milk plus corn-soybean concentrate starter feeding. At 42 days of age, the lambs were slaughtered, and rumen tissues were collected for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses. Ruminal fluid samples were collected for metabolomic analyses. Rumen epithelial organoid was used to verify the key ruminal metabolites contributing to parakeratosis. RESULTS As expected, we observed that concentrate starter introduction resulted in rumen epithelial parakeratosis. Moreover, scRNA-seq analysis revealed a developmental impediment in the transition from differentiated keratinocytes to terminally differentiated keratinocytes (TDK) in lambs with concentrate starter introduction. Immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR analyses further verified the location and expression of marker genes of TDK. Metabolomic analysis showed a robust positive correlation between ruminal butyrate levels and rumen epithelial keratinization. More importantly, we successfully established a rumen organoid model capable of facilitating the study of the keratinization process in the rumen epithelia and further confirmed that high dose butyrate indeed contributed to rumen epithelial parakeratosis. CONCLUSION Collectively, concentrate starter introduction induces ruminal epithelial parakeratosis by blocking keratinocyte differentiation with excessive ruminal butyrate accumulation in a neonatal lamb model. These findings enhance our understanding of rumen epithelial keratinization and provide valuable insights for addressing rumen epithelial parakeratosis using early nutritional intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jing Qin
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Haining Zhu
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Daming Sun
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Drug Target Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuyang Yin
- Huzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Shengyong Mao
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Weiyun Zhu
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zan Huang
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Junhua Liu
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Fuerniss LK, Wesley KR, Bowman SM, Hall JR, Young JD, Beckett JL, Woerner DR, Rathmann RJ, Johnson BJ. Beef embryos in dairy cows: feedlot performance, mechanistic responses, and carcass characteristics of straightbred Holstein calves and Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, or crossbred beef dams. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad239. [PMID: 37428683 PMCID: PMC10362931 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad239] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to test the feedlot performance of straightbred beef calves raised on a calf ranch and to compare finishing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and mechanistic responses relative to beef × dairy crossbreds and straightbred beef cattle raised in a traditional beef cow/calf system. Tested treatment groups included straightbred beef steers and heifers reared on range (A × B; n = 14), straightbred beef steers and heifers born following embryo transfer to Holstein dams (H ET; n = 15) and Jersey dams (J ET; n = 16) The finishing trial began when cattle weighed 301 ± 32.0 kg and concluded after 195 ± 1.4 d. Individual intake was recorded from day 28 until shipment for slaughter. All cattle were weighed every 28 d; serum was collected from a subset of steers every 56 d. Cattle of straightbred beef genetics (A × B, H ET, and J ET) and A × H were similar in final shrunk body weight, dry matter intake, and carcass weight (P > 0.05 for each variable). Compared with A × J cattle, J ET was 42 d younger at slaughter with 42 kg more carcass weight (P < 0.05 for both variables). No difference was observed in longissimus muscle area between all treatments (P = 0.40). Fat thickness was greatest for straightbred beef cattle, least for A × J cattle, and intermediate for A × H cattle (P < 0.05). When adjusted for percentage of adjusted final body weight, feed efficiency was greater for straightbred beef cattle compared with beef × dairy crossbred cattle (P = 0.04). A treatment × day interaction was observed for circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; P < 0.01); 112 d after being implanted, beef × dairy crossbred cattle had greater circulating IGF-I concentration than cattle of straightbred beef genetics (P < 0.05). Straightbred beef calves born to Jersey cows had more efficient feedlot and carcass performance than A × J crossbreds. Calves of straightbred beef genetics raised traditionally or in a calf ranch performed similarly in the feedlot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke K Fuerniss
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kaitlyn R Wesley
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Sydney M Bowman
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jerica R Hall
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - J Daniel Young
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | | | - Dale R Woerner
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Ryan J Rathmann
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Bradley J Johnson
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Yohe TT, Dennis TS, Villot C, Quigley JD, Hill TM, Suarez-Mena FX, Aragona KM, Pineda A, Laarman AH, Costa JHC, Steele MA. Effects of milk replacer allowances and levels of starch in pelleted starter on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, and pH around weaning. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6710-6723. [PMID: 35717332 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of pelleted starter diets differing in starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content when fed differing levels of milk replacer (MR) on nutrient digestibility, whole gastrointestinal tract fermentation, pH, and inflammatory markers in dairy calves around weaning. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 12 per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial design based on daily MR allowance and amount of starch in pelleted starter (SPS): 0.691 kg of MR per day [dry matter (DM) basis] with starter containing low or high starch (12.0% and 35.6% starch on DM basis, respectively), and 1.382 kg of MR per day (DM) with starter containing low or high starch. All calves were housed in individual pens with straw bedding until wk 5 when bedding was covered. Calves were fed MR twice daily (0700 and 1700 h) containing 24.5% crude protein (DM) and 19.8% fat (DM), and had access to pelleted starter (increased by 50 g/d if there were no refusals before weaning and then 200 g/d during and after weaning) and water starting on d 1. Calves arrived between 1 and 3 d of age and were enrolled into an 8-wk study, with calves undergoing step-down weaning during wk 7. Starting on d 35, an indwelling pH logger was inserted orally to monitor rumen pH until calves were dissected at the end of the study in wk 8. Higher SPS calves showed an increase in rumen pH magnitude (1.46 ± 0.07) compared with low SPS calves (1.16 ± 0.07), a decrease in rumen pH in wk 8 (high SPS: 5.37 ± 0.12; low SPS: 5.57 ± 0.12), and a decrease in haptoglobin in wk 8 (high SPS: 0.24 ± 0.06 g/L; low SPS: 0.49 ± 0.06 g/L). The majority of differences came from increased starter intake in general, which suggests that with completely pelleted starters the differences in starch and NDF do not elicit drastic changes in fermentation, subsequent end products, and any resulting inflammation in calves around weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- T T Yohe
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - T S Dennis
- Nurture Research Center, Provimi, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Lewisburg, OH 45338
| | - C Villot
- Lallemand Animal Nutrition, F-31702, Blagnac, France
| | - J D Quigley
- Nurture Research Center, Provimi, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Lewisburg, OH 45338
| | - T M Hill
- Nurture Research Center, Provimi, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Lewisburg, OH 45338
| | - F X Suarez-Mena
- Nurture Research Center, Provimi, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Lewisburg, OH 45338
| | - K M Aragona
- Nurture Research Center, Provimi, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Lewisburg, OH 45338
| | - A Pineda
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - A H Laarman
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - J H C Costa
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506
| | - M A Steele
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada N1G 2W1.
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