Metagenomics reveals differences in microbial composition and metabolic functions in the rumen of dairy cows with different residual feed intake.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rumen microbial composition and functions have vital roles in feed digestion and fermentation and are linked to feed efficiency in cattle. This study selected Holstein cows, which are high in both milk protein content and milk yield, to analyse the relationship between the rumen microbiota and residual feed intake (RFI). Eighteen multiparous lactating cows were divided into low RFI (LRFI, high efficiency, n = 9) and high RFI (HRFI, low efficiency, n = 9) groups to investigate the differences in microbial composition and functions.

Results

The relative abundances of butyrate producers, including the Clostridium, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium and Blautia genera, were higher in HRFI cows than in LRFI cows (P < 0.05). Four carbohydrate metabolic pathways (glycolysis/gluco

SUBMITTER: Xie Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8902708 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature