Host genetics exerts lifelong effects upon hindgut microbiota and its association with bovine growth and immunity.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota is a complex ecological community that plays multiple critical roles within a host. Known intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect gut microbiota structure, but the influence of host genetics is understudied. To investigate the role of host genetics upon the gut microbiota structure, we performed a longitudinal study in which we evaluated the hindgut microbiota and its association with animal growth and immunity across life. We evaluated three different growth stages in an Angus-Brahman multibreed population with a graduated spectrum of genetic variation, raised under variable environmental conditions and diets. We found the gut microbiota structure was changed significantly during growth when preweaning, and fattening calves experienced large variations in diet and enviro

SUBMITTER: Fan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8319427 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature