Comparison of rumen bacterial communities between yaks (Bos grunniens) and Qaidam cattle (Bos taurus) fed a low protein diet with different energy levels.

ABSTRACT: The yak (Bos grunniens), an indigenous bovine on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP), is reported to digest low quality forage to a greater extent and to require less protein and energy for maintenance than the introduced Qaidam cattle (Bos taurus). Ruminal bacteria play a major role in feed degradation, and therefore, we hypothesized that ruminal bacteria composition would differ between yaks and cattle, and confer an advantage to yaks for poor quality diets. To test our hypothesis, we determined the ruminal bacteria profiles, rumen fermentation parameters, and enzyme activities in these bovine species consuming a low-protein diet differing in energy level. Six castrated yaks (155 ± 5.8 kg) and 6 castrated Qaidam cattle (154 ± 8.0 kg) were used in two concurrent 4 × 4 Latin sq

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9486477 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature