University of Wyoming, Department of Animal Science, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
University of Wyoming, Laramie Research and Extension Center, Laramie, WY 82070, USA.
J Anim Sci. 2022 Oct 1;100(10). doi: 10.1093/jas/skac264.
Optimization of host performance in cattle may be achieved through programming of the rumen microbiome. Thus, understanding maternal influences on the development of the calf rumen microbiome is critical. We hypothesized that there exists a shared microbial profile between the cow and calf rumen microbiomes from birth through weaning. Specifically, our objective was to relate the calf's meconium and rumen fluid microbiomes in early life to that of the cow rumen fluid prior to parturition and at weaning. Rumen fluid was collected from multiparous Angus crossbred cows (n = 10) prior to parturition and at weaning. Immediately following the parturition, meconium and rumen fluid were collected from the calf. Rumen fluid was collected again from the calf on day 2, day 28, and at weaning. The rumen fluid microbial profile and subsequent volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing and gas liquid chromatography, respectively. Microbial data was analyzed using QIIME2 and the GLM procedure of SAS was used to analyze the VFA profile. Alpha diversity was similar in the early gut microbiome (meconium, rumen fluid at birth and day 2; q ≥ 0.12) and between the cow and calf at weaning (q ≥ 0.06). Microbial composition, determined by beta diversity, differed in the early rumen microbiome (rumen fluid at birth, day 2, and day 28; q ≤ 0.04), and VFA profiles complimented these results. There were similarities in composition between meconium, rumen fluid at birth, and rumen fluid from the cow at weaning (q ≥ 0.09). These data indicate successive development of the rumen microbiome and stabilization over time. Similarities between meconium and rumen fluid at birth potentially indicates in utero colonization of the calf gastrointestinal tract. Similarities in composition between the early calf rumen microbiome and the cow at weaning prompt an interesting comparison and area for future consideration in terms of identifying at what stage of gestation might colonization begin. Overall, this study provides insight into similarities between the cow and calf microbiomes and may be helpful in developing hypotheses for the pathway of colonization and programming potential in the early gut.
通过对瘤胃微生物组进行编程，可以优化牛的宿主性能。因此，了解母体对小牛瘤胃微生物组发育的影响至关重要。我们假设，在出生到断奶期间，牛和小牛瘤胃微生物组之间存在共同的微生物特征。具体而言，我们的目标是将小牛的胎粪和早期瘤胃液微生物组与分娩前和断奶时母牛的瘤胃液微生物组相关联。收集了多胎安格斯杂交奶牛（n = 10）的瘤胃液，分别在分娩前和断奶时收集。分娩后立即从小牛中采集胎粪和瘤胃液。然后在第 2 天、第 28 天和断奶时再次从小牛中采集瘤胃液。使用 16S rRNA 测序和气相色谱法分别对瘤胃液微生物特征和随后的挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）特征进行了描述。使用 QIIME2 分析微生物数据，并使用 SAS 的 GLM 过程分析 VFA 特征。早期肠道微生物组（胎粪、出生时和第 2 天的瘤胃液；q≥0.12）和断奶时母牛和小牛之间的微生物多样性（q≥0.06）相似。通过 beta 多样性确定的微生物组成在早期瘤胃微生物组中存在差异（出生时、第 2 天和第 28 天的瘤胃液；q≤0.04），VFA 图谱补充了这些结果。胎粪、出生时的瘤胃液和断奶时母牛的瘤胃液之间存在组成上的相似性（q≥0.09）。这些数据表明瘤胃微生物组的连续发育和随着时间的推移而稳定。胎粪和出生时瘤胃液之间的相似性可能表明小牛胃肠道在子宫内的定植。早期小牛瘤胃微生物组与断奶时母牛之间的组成相似性促使人们对有趣的比较产生了兴趣，并为未来确定定植开始的妊娠阶段提供了参考。总体而言，本研究深入了解了母牛和小牛微生物组之间的相似性，并可能有助于为定植途径和早期肠道的编程潜力提出假说。
