Effects of melatonin on rumen microorganisms and methane production in dairy cow: results from in vitro and in vivo studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methane (CH₄) is a major greenhouse gas, and ruminants are one of the sources of CH₄ which is produced by the rumen microbiota. Modification of the rumen microbiota compositions will impact the CH₄ production. In this study, the effects of melatonin on methane production in cows were investigated both in the in vitro and in vivo studies.

Results

Melatonin treatment significantly reduced methane production in both studies. The cows treated with melatonin reduced methane emission from their respiration by approximately 50%. The potential mechanisms are multiple. First, melatonin lowers the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production in rumen and reduces the raw material for CH₄ synthesis. Second, melatonin not only reduces the

SUBMITTER: Fu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10463863 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature