Fermented Soybean Meal Replacement in the Diet of Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows: Modulated Rumen Fermentation and Ruminal Microflora

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the influences of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in the diet of lactating Holstein cattle on rumen fermentation and ruminal bacterial microbiome. Twenty-four lactating Chinese Holstein dairy cattle were assigned to each of the two treatments in a completely randomized design: the SBM group [the basal total mixed ration (TMR) diet containing 5.77% SBM] and the FSBM group (the experimental TMR diet containing 5.55% FSBM). This trial lasted for 54 days (14 days for adjustment and 40 days for data and sample collection), and samples of rumen liquid were collected on 34 d and 54 d, respectively. The results showed that replacing SBM with FSBM significantly increased the molar percentages of propionate (P < 0.01) and valerate (P < 0.05), but reduced the total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration (P < 0.05), butyrate molar proportion (P < 0.05), and the acetate to propionate ratio (P < 0.01). The copy numbers of total bacteria (P < 0.05), Fibrobacter succinogenes (P < 0.01), Selenomonas ruminantium (P < 0.01), and Prevotella spp. (P < 0.05) in the FSBM group were greater, while the density of Prevotella ruminicola (P < 0.05) was lower than those in the SBM treatment. Additionally, Succiniclasticum ruminis and Saccharofermentans acetigenes were significantly enriched (P < 0.05) in the rumen fluid of FSBM-fed cows, despite the fact that there was no remarkable difference in the Alpha diversity indexes, structure and KEGG pathway abundances of the bacterial community across the two treatments. It could hence be concluded that the substitution of FSBM for SBM modulated rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial microbiota in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Further research is required to elucidate the relevant mechanisms of FSBM, and provide more insights into the application of FSBM in dairy cattle.

Different feeding strategies can affect growth performance and rumen functions in Gangba sheep as revealed by integrated transcriptome and microbiome analyses

“…At the genus level, the microbiota analysis revealed a significant increase in Succiniclasticum and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group in the F group compared to the G and T groups. These genera were positively correlated with elevated concentrations of propionate and butyrate (Li et al, 2021 ; Wang B. et al, 2021 ; Wang Z. et al, 2021 ). Succiniclasticum is a propionate-producing bacterium using succinate (Cao et al, 2020 ), which is the most important precursor of glucose in ruminants.…”

“…In recent years, semi-grazing and barn feeding have become increasingly attractive as alternative strategies to replace traditional grazing. Numerous studies have demonstrated that these alternative feeding patterns improved the growth performance of several famous local sheep breeds (small-tailed Han sheep and Sunit sheep) in Inner Mongolia in China, which resulted in differences in gastrointestinal morphology and intestinal microflora, contributing to the gain of body weight and alternations of other crucial features of ruminants such as health status and even meat quality (Zhang et al, 2014 , 2017 ; Wang B. et al, 2021 ; Wang Z. et al, 2021 ). To date, the underlying regulatory mechanisms for the Gangba sheep response to different feeding patterns have not been well-defined.…”

Mangosteen Peel Liquid-Protected Soybean Meal Can Shift Rumen Microbiome and Rumen Fermentation End-Products in Lactating Crossbred Holstein Friesian Cows

“…Soybean meal (SBM) is a highly degradable protein in the rumen and has a balance of highly available amino acids (5,6). Furthermore, SBM is an excellent source of RDP and up to 65% of rumen degradability by rumen microbes (7).…”

“…Furthermore, SBM is an excellent source of RDP and up to 65% of rumen degradability by rumen microbes (7). However, the excessive degradability of SBM may not be beneficial to highproducing dairy cows, since it increases urine nitrogen loss (6). Some of the treatment methods to reduce rumen degradability of SBM include extrusion, roasting, or expeller or the addition of lignosulfonate, xylose, or formaldehyde and the use of plant secondary compounds.…”

Metagenomic and Metabolomic Insights Into the Mechanism Underlying the Disparity in Milk Yield of Holstein Cows

“…These rumen microbes ( Archaea , Bacteria , Protozoa , Fungi , and Viruses ) associate with each other and with their environment. The fermentation activities of these microbes contribute immensely to the health, body maintenance, and production of ruminants through the synthesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), vitamins, and microbial protein (MCP) ( Tong et al, 2018 ; Buitenhuis et al, 2019 ; Cunha et al, 2019 ; Wang et al, 2021 ; Wu et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, the disparity in the diversity and abundance of these rumen microbes is known to affect milk yield and milk protein yield in dairy cows ( Tong et al, 2018 ; Xue et al, 2019 ).…”