Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of lactobacilli-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on the composition and diversity of the ruminal microbiota in dairy cows. Understanding how DFM influences microbial populations can inform strategies to enhance animal health and pro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bronwyn E. Campbell, Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan, Robert J. Moore, Timothy Olchowy, Martin Soust, Rafat Al Jassim, John I. Alawneh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1584959/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850272111491284992
author Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Robert J. Moore
Timothy Olchowy
Martin Soust
Rafat Al Jassim
John I. Alawneh
John I. Alawneh
author_facet Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Robert J. Moore
Timothy Olchowy
Martin Soust
Rafat Al Jassim
John I. Alawneh
John I. Alawneh
author_sort Bronwyn E. Campbell
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of lactobacilli-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on the composition and diversity of the ruminal microbiota in dairy cows. Understanding how DFM influences microbial populations can inform strategies to enhance animal health and productivity.MethodsOver a 16-month period (September 2021 to January 2023), ruminal fluid samples were collected from fifty dairy cows assigned to either a DFM-supplemented group (DFM; n = 25) or an unsupplemented control group (CON; n = 25). Microbial DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Microbial diversity was assessed using alpha- and beta-diversity metrics (p < 0.05), and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was employed to identify differentially abundant taxa. Multivariable analyses were used to explore associations with age, average milk production, days in milk (DIM), time, and supplementation.ResultsThe dominant bacterial phyla identified were Bacillota and Bacteroidota, while Methanobacteriaceae was the predominant archaeal family. The DFM group showed significantly higher abundance of genera such as Eubacterium_Q, Atopobium sp. UBA7741, and Sharpea (p < 0.05). Conversely, Bacillus_P_294101 and SFMI01 were more abundant in the CON group. Temporal changes in microbial composition were observed, with significant differences in community diversity and structure between groups over time.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that lactobacilli-based DFM supplementation can significantly alter the ruminal microbial ecosystem in dairy cows. The observed microbial shifts, including increases in beneficial bacterial taxa, highlight the potential of DFM as a nutritional strategy to modulate rumen function and improve dairy cow performance.
format Article
id doaj-art-894b4be57b04403d97d74d7710ecf008
institution OA Journals
issn 2297-1769
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Veterinary Science
spelling doaj-art-894b4be57b04403d97d74d7710ecf0082025-08-20T01:51:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-05-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15849591584959Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFMBronwyn E. Campbell0Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan1Robert J. Moore2Timothy Olchowy3Martin Soust4Rafat Al Jassim5John I. Alawneh6John I. Alawneh7School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, AustraliaSchool of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, AustraliaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, CanadaTerragen Biotech Pty Ltd., Coolum Beach, QLD, AustraliaQueensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Saint Lucia, QLD, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, AustraliaDepartment of Primary Industries, Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity, Biosecurity Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, AustraliaIntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of lactobacilli-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on the composition and diversity of the ruminal microbiota in dairy cows. Understanding how DFM influences microbial populations can inform strategies to enhance animal health and productivity.MethodsOver a 16-month period (September 2021 to January 2023), ruminal fluid samples were collected from fifty dairy cows assigned to either a DFM-supplemented group (DFM; n = 25) or an unsupplemented control group (CON; n = 25). Microbial DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Microbial diversity was assessed using alpha- and beta-diversity metrics (p < 0.05), and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was employed to identify differentially abundant taxa. Multivariable analyses were used to explore associations with age, average milk production, days in milk (DIM), time, and supplementation.ResultsThe dominant bacterial phyla identified were Bacillota and Bacteroidota, while Methanobacteriaceae was the predominant archaeal family. The DFM group showed significantly higher abundance of genera such as Eubacterium_Q, Atopobium sp. UBA7741, and Sharpea (p < 0.05). Conversely, Bacillus_P_294101 and SFMI01 were more abundant in the CON group. Temporal changes in microbial composition were observed, with significant differences in community diversity and structure between groups over time.DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that lactobacilli-based DFM supplementation can significantly alter the ruminal microbial ecosystem in dairy cows. The observed microbial shifts, including increases in beneficial bacterial taxa, highlight the potential of DFM as a nutritional strategy to modulate rumen function and improve dairy cow performance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1584959/fullruminal microbiotadairy cowsdirect-fed microbialmicrobial diversitytemporal changes
spellingShingle Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Robert J. Moore
Timothy Olchowy
Martin Soust
Rafat Al Jassim
John I. Alawneh
John I. Alawneh
Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
ruminal microbiota
dairy cows
direct-fed microbial
microbial diversity
temporal changes
title Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
title_full Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
title_fullStr Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
title_full_unstemmed Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
title_short Temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM
title_sort temporal changes in ruminal microbiota composition and diversity in dairy cows supplemented with a lactobacilli based dfm
topic ruminal microbiota
dairy cows
direct-fed microbial
microbial diversity
temporal changes
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1584959/full
work_keys_str_mv AT bronwynecampbell temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT mohammadmahmudulhassan temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT robertjmoore temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT timothyolchowy temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT martinsoust temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT rafataljassim temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT johnialawneh temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm
AT johnialawneh temporalchangesinruminalmicrobiotacompositionanddiversityindairycowssupplementedwithalactobacillibaseddfm