Integrated Bacteria-Fungi Diversity Analysis Reveals the Gut Microbial Changes in Buffalo With Mastitis

Changes in Gut Microbiota in Peruvian Cattle Genetic Nucleus by Breed and Correlations with Beef Quality

This study evaluated the gut microbiota and meat quality traits in 11 healthy female cattle from the Huaral region of Peru, including 5 Angus, 3 Braunvieh, and 3 F1 Simmental × Braunvieh. All cattle were 18 months old and maintained on a consistent lifelong diet. Meat quality traits, including loin area, fat thickness, muscle depth, and marbling, were assessed in vivo using ultrasonography. Fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis, and DNA was extracted for 16S and 18S rRNA sequencing to characterize bacterial, fungal, and protist communities. Significant correlations were observed between microbial genera and meat traits: Christensenellaceae R-7 and Alistipes were positively associated with marbling and muscle area, while Rikenellaceae RC9 showed a negative correlation with fat thickness. Among fungi, Candida positively correlated with marbling, while Trichosporon was negatively associated with muscle depth. For protists, Entodinium negatively correlated with fat thickness and marbling. Alpha diversity varied by breed, with Angus showing greater bacterial diversity, and beta diversity analyses indicated a strong breed influence on microbial composition. These findings suggest that microbial composition, shaped by breed and dietary consistency, could serve as an indicator of meat quality, offering insights into gut microbiota's role in optimizing cattle production.

Effects of spent substrate of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on ruminal fermentation, microbial community and growth performance in Hu sheep

Introduction

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pleurotus Spent Mushroom Substrate (P.SMS) on the rumen microbiota, encompassing bacteria and fungi, as well as their interactions in Hu sheep.

Methods

A total of forty-five 3-month-old Hu sheep were randomly assigned to five groups. Each group was fed diets in which whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) was substituted with P.SMS at varying levels: 0% (CON), 5% (PSMS5), 10% (PSMS10), 15% (PSMS15), or 20% (PSMS20).

Results

The results indicated that higher proportions of P.SMS during the experimental period might have a detrimental effect on feed utilization efficiency, kidney function, and blood oxygen-carrying capacity. Notably, moderate levels of P.SMS, specifically below 15%, were associated with improvements in rumen NH3-N levels and absorption capacity. The results indicated that (1) PSMS20 exhibited a significantly higher feed-to-gain ratio compared to CON (P < 0.05); (2) PSMS15 showed a significantly higher NH3-N content than CON, PSMS5, and PSMS20. Additionally, PSMS10 and PSMS20 had elevated concentrations of NH3-N compared to CON and PSMS5 (P < 0.05); (3) The length and width of rumen papillae were significantly greater in PSMS20 compared to CON and PSMS5 (P < 0.05); (4) Creatinine levels were significantly higher in PSMS20 than in CON, PSMS5, and PSMS10 (P < 0.05); (5) By the conclusion of the experiment, hemoglobin concentration in PSMS20 showed a significant increase compared to CON (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of P.SMS influenced microorganisms at both the phylum and genus levels: (1) At the phylum level, the prevalence of Patescibacteria was significantly lower in PSMS20 compared to the other groups; (2) PSMS15 exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of Basidiomycota compared to CON and PSMS10, while PSMS20 also demonstrated significantly higher relative abundances compared to CON (P < 0.05); (3) At the genus level, the prevalence of Candidatus_Saccharimonas in PSMS20 was significantly lower than in PSMS5, PSMS10, and PSMS15. Conversely, the prevalence of Phanerochaete in PSMS15 was notably higher than in CON and PSMS10, and it was also significantly elevated in PSMS20 compared to CON (P < 0.05); (4) Correlation analysis indicated no significant correlation between changes in the structure of bacterial and fungal communities.

Discussion

Considering these findings, a high percentage of P.SMS negatively impacted feed utilization efficiency, blood oxygen carrying capacity, and kidney function, while a moderate percentage of P.SMS promotes rumen absorption capacity, indicating that feeding 10% P.SMS is optimal.

Age-Dependent Changes in Protist and Fungal Microbiota in a Peruvian Cattle Genetic Nucleus

In this research, the connection between age and microbial diversity in cattle was explored, revealing significant changes in both protist diversity and fungal microbiota composition with age. Using fecal samples from 21 Simmental cattle, microbial communities were analyzed through 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Results indicated significant differences in alpha protist diversity among the three age groups, while fungal composition varied notably with age and was linked to hematological parameters. Despite the stability of fungal alpha diversity, compositional changes suggest the gut as a stable niche for microbial colonization influenced by diet, clinical parameters, and microbial interactions. All cattle were maintained on a consistent diet, tailored to meet the specific nutritional needs of each age group. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding age-related microbial dynamics to enhance livestock management and animal health, contributing to broader ecological and biomedical research. This study was limited by the lack of comprehensive metabolic analyses correlating microbiota changes with specific age-related variations, indicating a need for further research in this area.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii Ameliorated Blood Lipids via Intestinal Microbiota Modulation and Fecal Bile Acid Excretion in a Ningxiang Pig Model

Lactobacillus delbrueckii intervention can regulate body lipid metabolism, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our study investigated the effects of L. delbrueckii on serum lipid levels, tissular fat metabolism and deposition, bile acid metabolism, and gut microbiota in Ningxiang pigs. Ninety-six pigs were divided into two groups and fed basal diets containing either 0 (CON) or 0.1% L. delbrueckii (LD) for 60 days. Dietary L. delbrueckii promoted fecal total bile acid (TBA) excretion and increased hepatic enzyme activities related to cholesterol and bile synthesis but decreased hepatic and serum lipid concentrations. L. delbrueckii downregulated gene expression associated with fatty acid synthesis but upregulated gene expression related to lipolysis and β-fatty acid oxidation in liver and subcutaneous fat. L. delbrueckii elevated gut Lactobacillus abundance and colonic short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria but declined the abundance of some pathogenic bacteria. These findings demonstrated that L. delbrueckii modulated intestinal microbiota composition and facilitated fecal TBA excretion to regulate hepatic fat metabolism, which resulted in less lipid deposition in the liver and reduced levels of serum lipids.

Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract

Alpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adaptability. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of intestinal fungi and protists in alpacas infected with Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp. compared to healthy alpacas. A total of 19 alpacas, aged between one and two months, were included. They were divided into two groups, one with pathological conditions (nine) and the other healthy (ten). Parasitological analyses for the detection of parasites and subsequent molecular analysis were performed on the collected fecal samples. The results revealed a greater diversity and abundance of protists in infected alpacas in comparison with healthy alpacas, while the fungal composition did not show significant changes. Therefore, parasitic infections affect the protist component of the alpaca gut microbiota. Also, it was observed that Blastocystis was identified in all healthy alpacas, serving as a possible marker of the health of the intestinal microbiota; in addition, Prussia and Pichia are beneficial fungi that help control diseases. This groundbreaking study in neonatal alpacas is the first to explore potential changes in the intestinal microbiota during an infectious state, underscoring the importance of further research to comprehend its effects on alpaca health and immune responses.