AUTHOR=Zhang Xinyu , Wang Wei , Wang Yajing , Cao Zhijun , Yang Hongjian , Li Shengli 

TITLE=Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses reveal differences in rumen microbiota between grass- and grain-fed Sanhe heifers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336278

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1336278

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diets on the composition and function of rumen microbiome and metabolites in Sanhe heifers.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>Metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were performed using rumen fluid samples collected from Sanhe heifers (<italic>n</italic> = 20) with similar body weights and ages from grass-fed and grain-fed systems.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>The grain-fed group exhibited more intensive rumen fermentation than the grass-fed group. However, the grass-fed group exhibited carbohydrate metabolism and methane production higher than that of the grain-fed group; these increases were observed as a higher abundance of various bacterial phyla (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Lentisphaerae, and Verrucomicrobia), families (Lachnospiraceae, Eubacteriaceae, and Eggerthellaceae), and the archaeal family Methanobacteriaceae. A comparison of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes, using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome profiles, revealed noteworthy differences in the functions of rumen microbiota; these differences were largely dependent on the feeding system.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>These results could help manipulate and regulate feed efficiency in Sanhe cattle.</p></sec>