Comparison of the ruminal and fecal microbiotas in beef calves supplemented or not with concentrate.

ABSTRACT: Most of the research efforts involving the bovine gastrointestinal microbiota have focused on cattle's forestomach, particularly the rumen, so information concerning the bovine fecal microbiota is more scarce, especially in young beef cattle. The present study was performed to evaluate the ruminal and fecal microbiotas of beef calves as they reached the end of their nursing phase. A total of 18 Angus cow/calf pairs were selected and assigned to one of two treatment groups for the last 92 days of the calves' nursing period, as follows: 1) calves were supplemented with concentrate in a creep feeding system; or 2) control group with no supplementation of calves. After 92 days, ruminal and fecal samples were individually obtained from calves in both groups, and their microbiotas were evaluated

SUBMITTER: Lourenco JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7153887 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature