Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle
The rumen microbiome is central to feed digestion and host performance, making it an important target for improving ruminant productivity and sustainability. This study investigated how feed composition influences rumen microbial abundance and phenotypic traits in beef cattle. Fifty-nine Angus bulls...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | André L. A. Neves Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez Yanhong Chen Tim McAllister Kim H. Ominski Limei Lin Le Luo Guan |
| author_facet | André L. A. Neves Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez Yanhong Chen Tim McAllister Kim H. Ominski Limei Lin Le Luo Guan |
| author_sort | André L. A. Neves |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rumen microbiome is central to feed digestion and host performance, making it an important target for improving ruminant productivity and sustainability. This study investigated how feed composition influences rumen microbial abundance and phenotypic traits in beef cattle. Fifty-nine Angus bulls were assigned to forage- and grain-based diets in a randomized block design, evaluating microbial dynamics, methane emissions, and feed efficiency. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) quantified bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protozoal populations. Grain-based diets reduced bacterial and fungal counts compared to forage diets (1.1 × 10<sup>11</sup> vs. 2.8 × 10<sup>11</sup> copies of 16S rRNA genes and 1.5 × 10<sup>3</sup> vs. 3.5 × 10<sup>4</sup> copies of 18S rRNA genes/mL, respectively), while protozoan and methanogen populations remained stable. Microbial abundance correlated with feed intake metrics, including dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intakes. Methane emissions were lower in grain-fed bulls (14.8 vs. 18.0 L CH<sub>4</sub>/kg DMI), though feed efficiency metrics showed no direct association with microbial abundance. Comparative analysis revealed adaptive microbial shifts in response to dietary changes, with functional redundancy maintaining rumen stability and supporting host performance. These findings provide insights into how feed composition shapes rumen microbial dynamics and host phenotypes, highlighting the functional adaptability of the rumen microbiome during dietary transitions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0040d2cb4e1b4afe931b92f3383f07d6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-0040d2cb4e1b4afe931b92f3383f07d62025-08-20T03:12:05ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-01-0113231010.3390/microorganisms13020310Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef CattleAndré L. A. Neves0Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira1Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez2Yanhong Chen3Tim McAllister4Kim H. Ominski5Limei Lin6Le Luo Guan7Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, DenmarkLaboratório de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, BrazilFacultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua 31453, MexicoDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, CanadaLethbridge Research Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, CanadaDepartment of Animal Science & National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, CanadaFaculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaDepartment of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, CanadaThe rumen microbiome is central to feed digestion and host performance, making it an important target for improving ruminant productivity and sustainability. This study investigated how feed composition influences rumen microbial abundance and phenotypic traits in beef cattle. Fifty-nine Angus bulls were assigned to forage- and grain-based diets in a randomized block design, evaluating microbial dynamics, methane emissions, and feed efficiency. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) quantified bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protozoal populations. Grain-based diets reduced bacterial and fungal counts compared to forage diets (1.1 × 10<sup>11</sup> vs. 2.8 × 10<sup>11</sup> copies of 16S rRNA genes and 1.5 × 10<sup>3</sup> vs. 3.5 × 10<sup>4</sup> copies of 18S rRNA genes/mL, respectively), while protozoan and methanogen populations remained stable. Microbial abundance correlated with feed intake metrics, including dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intakes. Methane emissions were lower in grain-fed bulls (14.8 vs. 18.0 L CH<sub>4</sub>/kg DMI), though feed efficiency metrics showed no direct association with microbial abundance. Comparative analysis revealed adaptive microbial shifts in response to dietary changes, with functional redundancy maintaining rumen stability and supporting host performance. These findings provide insights into how feed composition shapes rumen microbial dynamics and host phenotypes, highlighting the functional adaptability of the rumen microbiome during dietary transitions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/310rumen microbial abundancefeed compositionfeed efficiencymethane emissions |
| spellingShingle | André L. A. Neves Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez Yanhong Chen Tim McAllister Kim H. Ominski Limei Lin Le Luo Guan Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle Microorganisms rumen microbial abundance feed composition feed efficiency methane emissions |
| title | Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle |
| title_full | Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle |
| title_short | Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle |
| title_sort | impact of feed composition on rumen microbial dynamics and phenotypic traits in beef cattle |
| topic | rumen microbial abundance feed composition feed efficiency methane emissions |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/310 |
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