-
Journal of Animal Science Nov 2022The rumen is a vital organ containing vast amounts of microbes that play a key role in the digestion of nutrients and affect the production performance of ruminants....
The rumen is a vital organ containing vast amounts of microbes that play a key role in the digestion of nutrients and affect the production performance of ruminants. However, few studies have focused on the characterization of the ruminal microbiota composition and function in cows with long-term difference milk protein concentrations, and the relationship between milk protein concentration and ruminal microbiota remains elusive. In this study, we collected the data of milk protein concentrations of 1,025 Holstein cows for 10 mo on a commercial farm. Based on the milk protein concentrations, 30 cows were selected and divided into three groups (n = 10 per group): low milk protein group (LMP, milk protein concentration < 3.1%), medium milk protein group (MMP, 3.1% ≤ milk protein concentration < 3.4%), and high milk protein group (HMP, milk protein concentration ≥ 3.4%). The ruminal microbiome, metabolome, VFA concentrations and proportions, and amino acid profiles of the three groups were analyzed. The data showed that free amino acid (FAA) levels were lower in the rumen and higher in the plasma of HMP cows (P < 0.05). In addition, lower NH3 concentrations were observed in the rumen, plasma, and milk of the HMP cows (P < 0.05). Protease activity and isobutyric acid molar proportion in the rumen were lower in the HMP group (P < 0.05). Microbiome analysis showed that HMP cows had lower microbial diversity (represented as Shannon and Simpson indices) than LMP cows. At the genus level, lower relative abundances of Prevotella_1 and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 were observed in the HMP group (P < 0.05). At the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level, a lower relative abundance of OTU3 (Prevotella ruminicola) was observed in the HMP group (P < 0.05). We found that the relative abundances of ruminal Prevotella_1 and OTU3 (Prevotella ruminicola) were negatively correlated with milk protein concentration (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the cows with long-term high milk protein concentrations had lower microbial diversity and weaker protein degradation ability in the rumen. Furthermore, our observations identified a correlation between the milk protein concentration and ruminal microbiota.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Milk Proteins; Rumen; Lactation; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Fermentation; Diet; Microbiota; Prevotella; Metabolome; Amino Acids; Animal Feed
PubMed: 35938984
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac253 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022It was acknowledged long ago that microorganisms have played critical roles in animal evolution. Tibetan wild asses (TWA, ) are the only wild perissodactyls on the...
It was acknowledged long ago that microorganisms have played critical roles in animal evolution. Tibetan wild asses (TWA, ) are the only wild perissodactyls on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and the first national protected animals; however, knowledge about the relationships between their gut microbiota and the host's adaptability remains poorly understood. Herein, 16S rRNA and meta-genomic sequencing approaches were employed to investigate the gut microbiota-host associations in TWA and were compared against those of the co-resident livestock of yak () and Tibetan sheep (). Results revealed that the gut microbiota of yak and Tibetan sheep underwent convergent evolution. By contrast, the intestinal microflora of TWA diverged in a direction enabling the host to subsist on sparse and low-quality forage. Meanwhile, high microbial diversity (Shannon and Chao1 indices), cellulolytic activity, and abundant indicator species such as Spirochaetes, Bacteroidetes, , and supported forage digestion and short-chain fatty acid production in the gut of TWA. Meanwhile, the enterotype identification analysis showed that TWA shifted their enterotype in response to low-quality forage for a better utilization of forage nitrogen and short-chain fatty acid production. Metagenomic analysis revealed that plant biomass degrading microbial consortia, genes, and enzymes like the cellulolytic strains (, and ), as well as carbohydrate metabolism genes (GH43, GH3, GH31, GH5, and GH10) and enzymes (β-glucosidase, xylanase, and β-xylosidase, etc.) had a significantly higher enrichment in TWA. Our results indicate that gut microbiota can improve the adaptability of TWA through plant biomass degradation and energy maintenance by the functions of gut microbiota in the face of nutritional deficiencies and also provide a strong rationale for understanding the roles of gut microbiota in the adaptation of QTP wildlife when facing harsh feeding environments.
PubMed: 35923394
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.949002 -
Nutrients Jul 2022Precision dietary interventions (e.g., altering proportions of dietary protein fractions) has significant implications for the efficiency of nutrient use in ruminants,...
Precision dietary interventions (e.g., altering proportions of dietary protein fractions) has significant implications for the efficiency of nutrient use in ruminants, as well as lowering their environmental footprint, specifically nitrogen (N) emissions. Soluble protein (SP) is defined as the protein fraction that is rapidly degraded in the rumen (e.g., non-protein N and true protein), and our previous study found that regulating SP levels could improve N efficiency in Hu sheep. Thus, the present study was conducted to explore in vitro how protein fractions with different SP levels modulate the rumen microbial community and its association with N metabolism. Four dietary treatments with different SP proportions and similar crude protein (CP) content (~14%) were formulated (% of CP): 20 (S20), 30 (S30), 40 (S40) and 50 (S50). Results showed that NH3-N content increased with increasing SP levels at 4, 12 and 24 h; TVFA, acetate, propionate and valerate were higher in S30 and S40 (p < 0.05) and had quadratic effects (p < 0.05). Moreover, dry matter digestibility (DMD) and N digestibility (ND) were all decreased with S20 and S50 (p < 0.05). The S30 and S40 treatments increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Prevotella (Prevotella_ruminicola) but decreased the abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria (p < 0.05). Bacterial pathways related to amino acid and fatty acid metabolism also were enriched with S30 and S40. The abundance of Entodinium was increased with S30 and S40 and had a positive correlation with Prevotella, and these two genera also played an important role in N metabolism and VFA synthesis of this study. In conclusion, bacterial and protozoal communities were altered by the level of SP (% of CP), with higher SP levels (~50% of CP) increasing the microbial diversity but being detrimental to rumen N metabolism.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bacteria; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Digestion; Fermentation; Nitrogen; Rumen; Sheep; Solubility
PubMed: 35889928
DOI: 10.3390/nu14142972 -
Journal of Dairy Science Aug 2022Residual feed intake (RFI) measures feed efficiency independent of milk production level, and is typically calculated using data past peak lactation. In the current...
Residual feed intake in peripartal dairy cows is associated with differences in milk fat yield, ruminal bacteria, biopolymer hydrolyzing enzymes, and circulating biomarkers of immunometabolism.
Residual feed intake (RFI) measures feed efficiency independent of milk production level, and is typically calculated using data past peak lactation. In the current study, we retrospectively classified multiparous Holstein cows (n = 320) from 5 of our published studies into most feed-efficient (M-eff) or least feed-efficient (L-eff) groups using performance data collected during the peripartal period. Objectives were to assess differences in profiles of plasma biomarkers of immunometabolism, relative abundance of key ruminal bacteria, and activities of digestive enzymes in ruminal digesta between M-eff and L-eff cows. Individual data from cows with ad libitum access to a total mixed ration from d -28 to d +28 relative to calving were used. A linear regression model including dry matter intake (DMI), energy-corrected milk (ECM), changes in body weight (BW), and metabolic BW was used to classify cows based on RFI divergence into L-eff (n = 158) and M-eff (n = 162). Plasma collected from the coccygeal vessel at various times around parturition (L-eff = 60 cows; M-eff = 47 cows) was used for analyses of 30 biomarkers of immunometabolism. Ruminal digesta collected via esophageal tube (L-eff = 19 cows; M-eff = 29 cows) was used for DNA extraction and assessment of relative abundance (%) of 17 major bacteria using real-time PCR, as well as activity of cellulase, amylase, xylanase, and protease. The UNIVARIATE procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.) was used for analyses of RFI coefficients. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used for repeated measures analysis of performance, milk yield and composition, plasma immunometabolic biomarkers, ruminal bacteria, and enzyme activities. The M-eff cows consumed less DMI during the peripartal period compared with L-eff cows. In the larger cohort of cows, despite greater overall BW for M-eff cows especially in the prepartum (788 vs. 764 kg), no difference in body condition score was detected due to RFI or the interaction of RFI × time. Milk fat content (4.14 vs. 3.75 ± 0.06%) and milk fat yield (1.75 vs. 1.62 ± 0.04 kg) were greater in M-eff cows. Although cumulative ECM yield did not differ due to RFI (1,138 vs. 1,091 ± 21 kg), an RFI × time interaction due to greater ECM yield was found in M-eff cows. Among plasma biomarkers studied, concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, bilirubin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and reactive oxygen metabolites were overall greater, and glucose, paraoxonase, and IL-6 were lower in M-eff compared with L-eff cows. Among bacteria studied, abundance of Ruminobacter amylophilus and Prevotella ruminicola were more than 2-fold greater in M-eff cows. Despite lower ruminal activity of amylase in M-eff cows in the prepartum, regardless of RFI, we observed a marked linear increase after calving in amylase, cellulase, and xylanase activities. Protease activity did not differ due to RFI, time, or RFI × time. Despite greater concentrations of biomarkers reflective of negative energy balance and inflammation, higher feed efficiency measured as RFI in peripartal dairy cows might be associated with shifts in ruminal bacteria and amylase enzyme activity. Further studies could help address such factors, including the roles of the liver and the mammary gland.
Topics: Amylases; Animal Feed; Animals; Bacteria; Biomarkers; Biopolymers; Body Weight; Cattle; Cellulases; Diet; Eating; Female; Humans; Lactation; Milk; Peptide Hydrolases; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35840400
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21274 -
Animal Microbiome Jun 2022The resistome describes the array of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) present within a microbial community. Recent research has documented the resistome in the rumen of...
BACKGROUND
The resistome describes the array of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) present within a microbial community. Recent research has documented the resistome in the rumen of ruminants and revealed that the type and abundance of ARGs could be affected by diet and/or antibiotic treatment. However, most of these studies only assessed ARGs using metagenomics, and expression of the resistome and its biological function within the microbiome remains largely unexplored.
RESULTS
We characterized the pools of ARGs (resistome) and their activities in the rumen of 48 beef cattle belonging to three breeds (Angus, Charolais, Kinsella composite hybrid), using shotgun metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Sixty (including 20 plasmid-associated) ARGs were expressed which accounted for about 30% of the total number of ARGs (187) identified in metagenomic datasets, with tetW and mefA exhibiting the highest level of expression. In addition, the bacterial hosts of 17 expressed ARGs were identified. The active resistome was less diverse in Kinsella composite hybrid than Angus, however, expression of ARGs did not differ among breeds. Although not associated with feed efficiency, the total abundance of expressed ARGs was positively correlated with metabolic pathways and 'attenuation values' (a measurement of stability) of the active rumen microbiome, suggesting that ARGs expression influences the stability and functionality of the rumen microbiome. Moreover, Ruminococcus spp., Prevotella ruminicola, Muribaculaceae spp. and Collinsella aerofaciens were all identified as hosts of expressed ARGs, possibly promoting the dominance of these carbohydrate degraders within the rumen microbiome.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study provide new insight into the active rumen resistome in vivo, which may inform strategies to limit the spread of ubiquitously found ARGs from the rumen to the broader environment without negatively impacting the key functional outcomes of the rumen microbiome.
PubMed: 35659381
DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00189-6 -
Bioresource Technology Jul 2022Herein, the xylanase and feruloyl esterase domains of the xylanase/feruloyl esterase bifunctional enzyme (Xyn-Fae) from Prevotella ruminicola 23 were identified using N-...
Herein, the xylanase and feruloyl esterase domains of the xylanase/feruloyl esterase bifunctional enzyme (Xyn-Fae) from Prevotella ruminicola 23 were identified using N- and C-terminal truncation mutagenesis. In addition, a novel and more efficient xylanase/feruloyl esterase bifunctional enzyme XynII-Fae was constructed, and its synergistic action with a commercial cellulase for lignocellulose hydrolysis was studied. When 40% cellulase was replaced by XynII-Fae, the production of reducing sugars increased by 65% than that with the cellulase alone, and the conversions of xylan and glucan were increased by 125.1% and 54.3%, respectively. When 80% cellulase was substituted by XynII-Fae, up to 43.5 μg/mL ferulic acid and 418.7 μg/mL acetic acid were obtained. The XynII-Fae could also accelerate the hydrolysis of wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse with commercial cellulase. These results indicated that the synergistic action of XynII-Fae with cellulase could dramatically improve the hydrolysis efficiency of lignocellulose, showing the great potential for industrial applications.
Topics: Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Cellulase; Cellulose; Hydrolysis; Lignin; Saccharum
PubMed: 35489578
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127244 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2022The integrity of the intestinal epithelium is crucial for human health and is harmed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An aberrant gut microbial composition resulting...
INTRODUCTION
The integrity of the intestinal epithelium is crucial for human health and is harmed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An aberrant gut microbial composition resulting in gut-derived metabolic toxins was found to damage the intestinal epithelium, jeopardizing tissue integrity. These toxins further reach the brain the gut-brain axis, disrupting the normal function of the brain. A mechanistic understanding of metabolic disturbances in the brain and gut is essential to design effective therapeutics and early intervention to block disease progression. Herein, we present a novel computational framework integrating constraint based tissue specific metabolic (CBM) model and whole-body physiological pharmacokinetics (PBPK) modeling for ASD. Furthermore, the role of gut microbiota, diet, and oxidative stress is analyzed in ASD.
METHODS
A representative gut model capturing host-bacteria and bacteria-bacteria interaction was developed using CBM techniques and patient data. Simultaneously, a PBPK model of toxin metabolism was assembled, incorporating multi-scale metabolic information. Furthermore, dynamic flux balance analysis was performed to integrate CBM and PBPK. The effectiveness of a probiotic and dietary intervention to improve autism symptoms was tested on the integrated model.
RESULTS
The model accurately highlighted critical metabolic pathways of the gut and brain that are associated with ASD. These include central carbon, nucleotide, and vitamin metabolism in the host gut, and mitochondrial energy and amino acid metabolisms in the brain. The proposed dietary intervention revealed that a high-fiber diet is more effective than a western diet in reducing toxins produced inside the gut. The addition of probiotic bacteria , , , and to the diet restores gut microbiota balance, thereby lowering oxidative stress in the gut and brain.
CONCLUSION
The proposed computational framework is novel in its applicability, as demonstrated by the determination of the whole-body distribution of ROS toxins and metabolic association in ASD. In addition, it emphasized the potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies to alleviate autism symptoms. Notably, the presented integrated model validates the importance of combining PBPK modeling with COBRA -specific tissue details for understanding disease pathogenesis.
PubMed: 35330929
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.760753 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Jan 2023This study examined the influences of coated folic acid (CFA) and coated riboflavin (CRF) on bull performance, nutrients digestion and ruminal fermentation. Forty-eight...
This study examined the influences of coated folic acid (CFA) and coated riboflavin (CRF) on bull performance, nutrients digestion and ruminal fermentation. Forty-eight Angus bulls based on a randomised block and 2 × 2 factorial design were assigned to four treatments. The CFA of 0 or 6 mg of folic acid/kg DM was supplemented in diets with CRF 0 or 60 mg riboflavin (RF)/kg DM. Supplementation of CRF in diets with CFA had greater increase in daily weight gain and feed efficiency than in diets without CFA. Supplementation with CFA or CRF enhanced digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate. Ruminal pH and ammonia N content decreased and total volatile fatty acids concentration and acetate to propionate ratio elevated for CFA or CRF addition. Supplement of CFA or CRF increased the activities of fibrolytic enzymes and the numbers of total bacteria, protozoa, fungi, dominant fibrolytic bacteria and . The activities of -amylase, protease and pectinase and the numbers of and were increased by CFA but were unaffected by CRF. Blood concentration of folate elevated and homocysteine decreased for CFA addition. The CRF supplementation elevated blood concentrations of folate and RF. These findings suggested that CFA or CRF inclusion had facilitating effects on performance and ruminal fermentation, and combined addition of CFA and CRF had greater increase in performance than CFA or CRF addition alone in bulls.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Male; Animal Feed; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Fermentation; Folic Acid; Nutrients; Rumen
PubMed: 35225178
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522000630 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2021Several seaweed extracts have been reported to have potential antimethanogenic effects in ruminants. In this study, the effect of three brown seaweed species (Undaria...
Several seaweed extracts have been reported to have potential antimethanogenic effects in ruminants. In this study, the effect of three brown seaweed species (Undaria pinnatifida, UPIN; Sargassum fusiforme, SFUS; and Sargassum fulvellum, SFUL) on rumen fermentation characteristics, total gas, methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO) production, and microbial populations were investigated using an in vitro batch culture system. Seaweed extract and its metabolites, total flavonoid and polyphenol contents were identified and compared. For the in vitro batch, 0.25 mg∙mL of each seaweed extract were used in 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h of incubation. Seaweed extract supplementation decreased CH yield and its proportion to total gas production after 12, 24, and 48 h of incubation, while total gas production were not significantly different. Total volatile fatty acid and molar proportion of propionate increased with SFUS and SFUL supplementation after 24 h of incubation, whereas UPIN was not affected. Additionally, SFUS increased the absolute abundance of total bacteria, ciliate protozoa, fungi, methanogenic archaea, and Fibrobacter succinogenes. The relative proportions of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus, and Prevotella ruminicola were lower with seaweed extract supplementation, whereas Anaerovibrio lipolytica increased. Thus, seaweed extracts can decrease CH production, and alter the abundance of rumen microbial populations.
Topics: Animals; Carbon Dioxide; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Fermentation; Gases; In Vitro Techniques; Methane; Plant Extracts; Propionates; Rumen; Seaweed; Time Factors
PubMed: 34916562
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03356-y -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2021We evaluated whether olive leaves (OLs) are effective as feed additives and supplements for ruminants and the potential methane reduction effects during in vitro...
We evaluated whether olive leaves (OLs) are effective as feed additives and supplements for ruminants and the potential methane reduction effects during in vitro fermentation. Two Hanwoo cows (460 ± 20 kg) equipped with cannula were fed Timothy hay and corn-based feed 3% of the body weight at a ratio of 6:4 (8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). Ruminal fluid from the cows was collected and mixed before morning feeding. In vitro batch fermentation was monitored after 12 and 24 h of incubation at 39 °C, and OLs were used as supplements to achieve the concentration of 5% in the basal diet. At 12 h of fermentation, methane production decreased in the 5% OLs group compared to that in the control group, but not at 24 h. The proportion of cellulose-degrading bacteria, , and , tended to increase in the 5% OLs group at 12 h. The amount of ammonia produced was the same as the polymerase chain reaction result for . At 12 h, the proportion of was significantly higher in the 5% OLs group. OLs may be used incorporated with protein byproducts or other methane-reducing agents in animal feed.
PubMed: 34359136
DOI: 10.3390/ani11072008