Microbiome and Metabolomics Reveal the Effects of Different Feeding Systems on the Growth and Ruminal Development of Yaks

Abstract

The change in the feeding system can greatly improve the growth performance of the yak (Bos grunniens), an important livestock species in the plateau region. Here, we comprehensively compared the effects of different feeding systems on the growth performance and ruminal development of yaks, and investigated the effects of ruminal microorganisms and metabolites using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer (LC-MS) technologies. We found that compared to traditional grazing feeding, house feeding significantly improved the growth performance (such as average daily gain and net meat weight) and rumen development of the yaks. At the genus level, the abundance of Rikenellaceae RC9 Gut group, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 showed significant differences and was closely related to rumen development in the two distinct feeding systems. Also, metabolomics revealed that the change in the feeding system significantly affected the concentration and metabolic pathways of the related rumen metabolites. The metabolites with significant differences were significantly enriched in purine metabolism (xanthine, adenine, inosine, etc.), tyrosine metabolism (L-tyrosine, dopaquinone, etc.), phenylalanine metabolism (dihydro-3-caumaric acid, hippuric acid, etc.), and cAMP signaling pathway [acetylcholine, (-)-epinephrine, etc.]. This study scientifically support the house fattening feeding system for yaks. Also, our results provide new insights into the composition and function of microbial communities that promote ruminal development and in general growth of the yaks.

Fermented Wheat Bran Polysaccharides Intervention Alters Rumen Bacterial Community and Promotes Rumen Development and Growth Performance in Lambs

“…Furthermore, the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, NK4A214_group , and Treponema and butyrate proportion was found to be positively correlated. Similar results were observed by Huang et al, where the Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group not only promotes rumen development by increasing butyrate production but also directly affects rumen development ( 41 ). Solobacterium is a member of the family Erysipelotrichaceae of the phylum Firmicutes, which is involved in the digestion of protein and energy production ( 42 ).…”

Serum Biochemical Parameters, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Bacterial Communities Are Partly Driven by the Breed and Sex of Cattle When Fed High-Grain Diet

“…In addition, our previous study [7] found its abundance was positively correlated with rumen pH and acetate and negatively correlated with propionate. A recent study [42] found its abundance was also associated with rumen epithelial morphology. Thus, these findings suggest the presence of the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group has a key role in fiber digestion, rumen fermentation pattern, and rumen epithelial development.…”

Comparison of the Intestinal Structure and Intestinal Microbiome between Two Geographically Isolated Populations of Culter alburnus

“…The slice thickness was set to be 5 um, and after HE staining, the intestinal structure was observed under a microscope system (Leica, Wetzlar, Germany). The height of the intestinal villi, the thickness of the intestinal mucosal layer, and the thickness of the intestinal muscle layer were measured and compared between the two populations [17].…”