A Longitudinal Characterization of the Seminal Microbiota and Antibiotic Resistance in Yearling Beef Bulls Subjected to Different Rates of Gain.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we evaluated the seminal and fecal microbiota in yearling beef bulls fed a common diet to achieve moderate (1.13 kg/day) or high (1.80 kg/day) rates of weight gain. Semen samples were collected on days 0 and 112 of dietary intervention (n = 19/group) as well as postbreeding (n = 6/group) using electroejaculation, and the microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and culturing. The fecal microbiota was also evaluated, and its similarity with seminal microbiota was assessed. A subset of seminal bacterial isolates (n = 33) was screened for resistance against 28 antibiotics. A complex and dynamic microbiota was detected in bovine semen, and the community structure was affected by sampling time (R² = 0.

SUBMITTER: Webb EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10100376 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature