Analysis of the fecal microbiome and metabolome in dairy cows with different body condition scores.

ABSTRACT: Holstein Friesian is the most popular breed of dairy cows worldwide due to its exceptional milk production capabilities. In dairy cow management, the body condition score (BCS) is a useful tool, serving as a reliable indicator of a cow's nutritional status and overall health. It is determined via a subjective visual and tactile assessment of fat cover and muscle mass. A low BCS is associated with decreased milk production and fertility. While genetic and nutritional factors have previously been associated with BCS, their effects are often moderate. In this study, we compared the fecal microbiome and the untargeted fecal metabolome of normal (BCS ≥  3, n =  16) and thin (BCS <  3, n =  16) Holstein Friesian dairy cows. The 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis revealed that thin cows had

SUBMITTER: Saraphol B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11893135 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature