Prokaryotic Diversity of Ruminal Content and Its Relationship with Methane Emissions in Cattle from Kazakhstan

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the microbial composition of the rumen contents of cattle from Kazakhstan. Specifically, samples of the liquid and solid fractions of the rumen were collected to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of methanogenic archaea. Cattle were six steers receiving hay-concentrate feeding. Methane emission was determined by repeated measurements for each animal. Rumen samples were then taken from fistulas and analyzed using 16S metabarcoding via Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). The difference between the rumen fractions was investigated, resulting in differential distribution of the families Streptococccaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, and Succinivibrionaceae, which were more abundant in the liquid fraction, while Thalassospiraceae showed a higher presence in the solid fraction. These differences can be explained by the fact that fibrolytic bacteria are associated with the solid fraction compared to the liquid. A relationship between methane emission and methanogenic microbiota was also observed. Steers producing more methane showed microbiota richer in methanogens; specifically, most Mathanobacteriaceae resided in the liquid fraction and solid fraction of animals 1 and 6, respectively. The same animals carried most of the Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera genera. On the contrary, animals 2, 3, and 5 hosted a lower amount of methanogens, which also agreed with the data on methane emissions. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a relationship between methane emission and the content of methanogenic archaea in different rumen fractions collected from cattle in Kazakhstan. As a result of the studies, it was found that the solid fraction of the rumen contained more genera of methanogens than the liquid fraction of the rumen. These results prove that taking rumen contents through a fistula is more useful than taking it through a probe. The presented data may be of interest to scientists from all over the world engaged in similar research in a comparative aspect.

Wood fibers are a crucial microhabitat for cellulose- and xylan- degrading bacteria in the hindgut of the wood-feeding beetle Odontotaenius disjunctus

“…Notably, our recovery of several insect-restricted clades within the Christensenellaceae R-7 lineage further suggests the existence of host-specific clades that have undergone unique adaptations to thrive in the insect gut environment ( Supplementary Figure 3 ). The wide distribution of Christensenellaceae R-7 members among ruminants, including their presence in the fiber-adherent fraction of the bovine microbiome ( Brulc et al, 2009 ; Daugaliyeva et al, 2022 ), supports their potential role in anaerobic ecosystems characterized by the degradation of plant material, such as the gut environment of O. disjunctus . Although the metabolic potential of Christensenellaceae R-7 members in the gut of O. disjunctus remains largely unexplored, their prevalence in other ruminant-associated environments highlights their potential significance in fiber degradation.…”

Changes in the Concentration of Amino Acids and Bacterial Community in the Rumen When Feeding Artemisia absinthium and Cobalt Chloride

“…By influencing the microbiome of the body, feed additives are able to improve the use of individual nutrients [12,13], generally improving the use of feed. Thanks to new generation sequencing (NGS), researchers are able to establish taxonomic groups of bacteria, followed by their analysis of functional ability [14,15] responsible for the metabolism or biodegradation of metabolites in the digestive tract of animals [16] and use the microbiome as a tool for regulating nutrition and health of farm animals [17]. Search for alternative natural sources [18] based on plant additives and mineral substances that improve the use of feed while reducing the production of by-products remains relevant and open.…”