Association between weaning stress and rumen microbiota in goat kids: evidence from granger causality and randomized controlled trial validation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Although there is some evidence linking weaning stress to altered gut flora and stunted development, the exact nature of this relationship is still up for debate.

Methods

In this study, we employed Granger causality inference to compare the dynamic changes in gastrointestinal microbiota between stressed and non-stressed goat kids, and we validated our findings through a randomized controlled trial involving rumen microbiota transplantation.

Results

Our findings indicated that the alpha diversity and microbial maturity of the rumen microbiota in stressed kids were significantly lower than those in non-stressed kids during the weaning period (p<0.05). Furthermore, the rumen microbiota at pre-weaning could accurately predict the body weight changes during weani

SUBMITTER: Peng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12754500 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature