Microbiome Clusters Disclose Physiologic Variances in Dairy Cows Challenged by Calving and Lipopolysaccharides

Abstract

The health of dairy cows has to be carefully considered for sustainable and efficient animal production. The microbiome of animals plays an important role in the host’s nutrient supply and regulation of immune functions.

Cow’s microbiome from antepartum to postpartum: A long-term study covering two physiological challenges

“…Our data for the first time showed a significant increase of Bifidobacterium spp. in rumen and duodenal fluid samples of cows 3 days pp, which has also been found in the fecal samples of the same animals (Tröscher-Mußotter et al, 2021). The calf was permitted to stay with the dam only until 1 day pp, allowing intense care, licking, and suckling.…”

“…In contrast, animal 306 was observed with considerably high Bifidobacterium abundances, and only had some skin issues, but no infectious diseases or claw infections. The fecal microbiome of this animal could be grouped to the third microbiome cluster (C-Bifi) of the previous study, which was characterized by medium milk yields, positive REI values, lowest BCS and body weights (BW) at high milk protein and milk fat yields ( Tröscher-Mußotter et al, 2021 ). Bifidobacterium plays a significant role in the gut’s development and resilience as they can produce natural bacteriocins, SCFA, and conjugated linoleic acids ( Arboleya et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Together with free glucose, ketones positively correlated among each other in RUM and DUO ( r ≥ 0.7) and increased in the rumen when concentration in the diet was increased. Interestingly animals with highest concentration of free ruminal glucose throughout the trial were those assorted to the animal cluster “C-Clos,” associated with longer days in illness, significantly higher milk somatic cell counts and blood mean platelet volumes at significantly lower dry matter intakes compared to the other two clusters within a related study including the same animals ( Tröscher-Mußotter et al, 2021 ). If glucose is not available ( Laffel, 1999 ), ketone bodies serve as an alternative energy source in peripheral tissue ( Ruzsanyi and Kalapos, 2017 ).…”

“…The fecal microbiome analysis of these animals was done previously together with other non-fistulated cows. It could be shown that these animals belonged to a group of animals sorted in microbiome clusters, C-Spiro and C-Clos ( Tröscher-Mußotter et al, 2021 ), which were characterized by high average days in illness, body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW) as well as low milk protein and milk fat yields, fecal Bifidobacterium abundances, and residual energy intakes (REI) values around 0 or negative. In contrast, animal 306 was observed with considerably high Bifidobacterium abundances, and only had some skin issues, but no infectious diseases or claw infections.…”

Microbial Enterotypes Shape the Divergence in Gut Fermentation, Host Metabolism, and Growth Rate of Young Goats

“…Recent studies have proven that enterotypes can be a useful tool for studying the gut microbial community landscape and its influences on the host ( 10 , 11 ). In ruminants, one recent study in dairy cows reported that milk yield and body weight were significantly higher in unclassified Spirochaetaceae enterotype cows than in Bifidobacterium enterotype cows ( 12 ). It is also noteworthy that yaks shifted their enterotypes in response to dietary changes between the warm and cold seasons to improve nitrogen and energy utilization ( 13 ).…”