Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement

Previous studies of direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplements showed variable effects on the microbiota and physiology of dairy cows. The main aims of this study were to investigate the milk microbiota of cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM compared to untreated cows; describe the changes;...

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Main Authors: Bronwyn E. Campbell, Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan, Timothy Olchowy, Shahab Ranjbar, Martin Soust, Orlando Ramirez-Garzon, Rafat Al Jassim, Robert J. Moore, John I. Alawneh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2124
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author Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Timothy Olchowy
Shahab Ranjbar
Martin Soust
Orlando Ramirez-Garzon
Rafat Al Jassim
Robert J. Moore
John I. Alawneh
author_facet Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Timothy Olchowy
Shahab Ranjbar
Martin Soust
Orlando Ramirez-Garzon
Rafat Al Jassim
Robert J. Moore
John I. Alawneh
author_sort Bronwyn E. Campbell
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies of direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplements showed variable effects on the microbiota and physiology of dairy cows. The main aims of this study were to investigate the milk microbiota of cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM compared to untreated cows; describe the changes; and quantify the association between the taxa and cow productivity. The study followed seventy-five Holstein–Friesian dairy cows supplemented with a DFM over 16 months compared to seventy-five non-supplemented cows. Twenty-five cows from each group were sampled for microbiota analysis. The top taxa significantly associated with the variables were as follows: Age (<i>Mammaliicoccus</i>_319276, <i>Turicibacter</i>), milk production (<i>Turicibacter</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>_388775), DIM (<i>Stenotrophomonas</i>_A_615274, <i>Pedobacter</i>_887417), milk fat percentage (<i>Pseudomonas</i>_E_647464, <i>Lactobacillus</i>), calendar month (<i>Jeotgalicoccus</i>_A_310962, <i>Planococcus</i>), milk protein percentage (<i>Tistrella</i>, <i>Pseudomonas_E_650325</i>), experimental group (<i>Enterococcus</i>_B, <i>Aeromonas</i>), SCC (<i>Paenochrobactrum</i>, <i>Pseudochrobactrum</i>), and trimester of pregnancy (<i>Dyadobacter</i>_906144, VFJN01 (Acidimicrobiales)). These were identified using multivariable analysis. Twenty-six genera were associated with the differences between experimental groups, including <i>Pseudomonas</i>, <i>Lactococcus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus</i>. Microbial taxa that changed in relative abundance over time included <i>Atopostipes</i>, <i>Brevibacterium</i> and <i>Succinivibrio.</i> Many of these genera were also part of the core microbiota. Supplementation with the DFM significantly altered the milk microbiota composition in the dairy cows, highlighting the impact of long-term DFM supplementation on microbial communities.
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spelling doaj-art-cccf41ec6e3e4ae3ad1cb017ede1dda42025-08-20T03:13:42ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514212410.3390/ani15142124Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial SupplementBronwyn E. Campbell0Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan1Timothy Olchowy2Shahab Ranjbar3Martin Soust4Orlando Ramirez-Garzon5Rafat Al Jassim6Robert J. Moore7John I. Alawneh8School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3R 1J3, CanadaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaTerragen Biotech Pty Ltd., Coolum Beach, QLD 4573, AustraliaTerragen Biotech Pty Ltd., Coolum Beach, QLD 4573, AustraliaQueensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaSchool of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, AustraliaPlant Biosecurity and Product Integrity, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, QLD 4001, AustraliaPrevious studies of direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplements showed variable effects on the microbiota and physiology of dairy cows. The main aims of this study were to investigate the milk microbiota of cows supplemented with a lactobacilli-based DFM compared to untreated cows; describe the changes; and quantify the association between the taxa and cow productivity. The study followed seventy-five Holstein–Friesian dairy cows supplemented with a DFM over 16 months compared to seventy-five non-supplemented cows. Twenty-five cows from each group were sampled for microbiota analysis. The top taxa significantly associated with the variables were as follows: Age (<i>Mammaliicoccus</i>_319276, <i>Turicibacter</i>), milk production (<i>Turicibacter</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>_388775), DIM (<i>Stenotrophomonas</i>_A_615274, <i>Pedobacter</i>_887417), milk fat percentage (<i>Pseudomonas</i>_E_647464, <i>Lactobacillus</i>), calendar month (<i>Jeotgalicoccus</i>_A_310962, <i>Planococcus</i>), milk protein percentage (<i>Tistrella</i>, <i>Pseudomonas_E_650325</i>), experimental group (<i>Enterococcus</i>_B, <i>Aeromonas</i>), SCC (<i>Paenochrobactrum</i>, <i>Pseudochrobactrum</i>), and trimester of pregnancy (<i>Dyadobacter</i>_906144, VFJN01 (Acidimicrobiales)). These were identified using multivariable analysis. Twenty-six genera were associated with the differences between experimental groups, including <i>Pseudomonas</i>, <i>Lactococcus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus</i>. Microbial taxa that changed in relative abundance over time included <i>Atopostipes</i>, <i>Brevibacterium</i> and <i>Succinivibrio.</i> Many of these genera were also part of the core microbiota. Supplementation with the DFM significantly altered the milk microbiota composition in the dairy cows, highlighting the impact of long-term DFM supplementation on microbial communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2124direct-fed microbialDFMmilk microbiotadairy cowsbacterial diversityproductivity
spellingShingle Bronwyn E. Campbell
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
Timothy Olchowy
Shahab Ranjbar
Martin Soust
Orlando Ramirez-Garzon
Rafat Al Jassim
Robert J. Moore
John I. Alawneh
Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
Animals
direct-fed microbial
DFM
milk microbiota
dairy cows
bacterial diversity
productivity
title Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
title_full Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
title_fullStr Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
title_short Analysis of the Microbiota of Milk from Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cows Fed a Microbial Supplement
title_sort analysis of the microbiota of milk from holstein friesian dairy cows fed a microbial supplement
topic direct-fed microbial
DFM
milk microbiota
dairy cows
bacterial diversity
productivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2124
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