Splanchnic metabolism of volatile fatty acids in the dairy cow

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. B. Kristensen

AbstractVolatile fatty acids (VFA) are quantitatively important substrates for dairy cows and other ruminants. It has been a central dogma in the nutritional physiology of ruminants that the ruminal epithelium metabolizes a large fraction of VFA during theirabsorption and consequently a relatively small fraction of VFA is available for peripheral tissues including the mammary gland. New data on splanchnic metabolism of VFA indicate that the ruminal epithelium metabolizes none or small amounts of acetate and propionate absorbed from the rumen. However, the ruminal epithelium has a large fractional uptake of butyrate and valerate during their absorption from the rumen. The liver takes up proportionately 0·9 or more of the absorbed propionate, however multiple factors are involved in regulation of hepatic metabolism and propionate does not determine glucose availability to the cowper se. In light of the quantitative importance of VFA to the dairy cow it is important that future research attempts to bridge the gap between the biology of food degradation/digestion in the gastro-intestinal tract and availability of specific nutrients to the cow which impact intermediary metabolism and nutrient utilizationin productive tissues.

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 21-21
Author(s):  
B.A. Williams ◽  
M.W. Bosch ◽  
M.W.A. Verstegen

In the absence of sufficient energy from a carbohydrate source, the GIT microflora can also use protein as a source of energy, by splitting amino acids leading to the formation of volatile fatty acids and ammonia (NH3). Therefore, it is hypothesized that the addition of fermentable carbohydrates to an animal diet, could reduce the concentration of NH3 of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) digesta, particularly in relation to the area where the fermentation takes place.


1985 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2895-2907 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. Peirce-Sandner ◽  
A.M. Papas ◽  
J.A. Rogers ◽  
T.F. Sweeney ◽  
K.A. Cummins ◽  
...  

1978 ◽  
Vol 170 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Gardner ◽  
P A Mayes

1. The hepatic metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants was compared after adding approximately equal numbers of each lipoprotein particle to the perfusate of isolated livers. 2. At least 40% of the added remnants were metabolized by the liver compared with less than 3% for chylomicrons. 3. There was significantly more net removal of labelled remnants than of chylomicrons by the liver. 4. A greater proportion of labelled cholesterol than of labelled triacylglycerol fatty acids was transferred to the liver from each lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty acids of remnants were oxidized to CO2 more extensively than those of chylomicrons. 6. There was greater oxidation of remnant glycerolipic [(1(-14)C]oleate than of glycerolipid [1(-14)C]palmitate. 7. A large fraction of the fatty acids of remnants, but not of chylomicrons, was transferred to phospholipids, which were released by the liver in a lipoprotein of relative density less than 1.006. 8. Label from remnants, but not from chylomicrons, was found in lipoproteins of relative density greater than 1.006, which were not released during perfusion but could be flushed out from the liver at the end of perfusion.


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 567-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. N. Bergman

The VFA, also known as short-chain fatty acids, are produced in the gastrointestinal tract by microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and endogenous substrates, such as mucus. This can be of great advantage to the animal, since no digestive enzymes exist for breaking down cellulose or other complex carbohydrates. The VFA are produced in the largest amounts in herbivorous animal species and especially in the forestomach of ruminants. The VFA, however, also are produced in the lower digestive tract of humans and all animal species, and intestinal fermentation resembles that occurring in the rumen. The principal VFA in either the rumen or large intestine are acetate, propionate, and butyrate and are produced in a ratio varying from approximately 75:15:10 to 40:40:20. Absorption of VFA at their site of production is rapid, and large quantities are metabolized by the ruminal or large intestinal epithelium before reaching the portal blood. Most of the butyrate is converted to ketone bodies or CO2 by the epithelial cells, and nearly all of the remainder is removed by the liver. Propionate is similarly removed by the liver but is largely converted to glucose. Although species differences exist, acetate is used principally by peripheral tissues, especially fat and muscle. Considerable energy is obtained from VFA in herbivorous species, and far more research has been conducted on ruminants than on other species. Significant VFA, however, are now known to be produced in omnivorous species, such as pigs and humans. Current estimates are that VFA contribute approximately 70% to the caloric requirements of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle, approximately 10% for humans, and approximately 20-30% for several other omnivorous or herbivorous animals. The amount of fiber in the diet undoubtedly affects the amount of VFA produced, and thus the contribution of VFA to the energy needs of the body could become considerably greater as the dietary fiber increases. Pigs and some species of monkey most closely resemble humans, and current research should be directed toward examining the fermentation processes and VFA metabolism in those species. In addition to the energetic or nutritional contributions of VFA to the body, the VFA may indirectly influence cholesterol synthesis and even help regulate insulin or glucagon secretion. In addition, VFA production and absorption have a very significant effect on epithelial cell growth, blood flow, and the normal secretory and absorptive functions of the large intestine, cecum, and rumen. The absorption of VFA and sodium, for example, seem to be interdependent, and release of bicarbonate usually occurs during VFA absorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wang ◽  
Xuemei Nan ◽  
Yiguang Zhao ◽  
Linshu Jiang ◽  
Mengling Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Due to the high prevalence and complex etiology, bovine mastitis (BM) is one of the most important diseases to compromise dairy cow health and milk quality. The shift in milk compositions has been widely investigated during mastitis, but recent studies suggested that gastrointestinal microorganism also has a crucial effect on the inflammation of other peripheral tissues and organs, including the mammary gland. However, research focused on the variation of rumen inner-environment during mastitis is still limited. Therefore, the ruminal microbial profiles, metabolites, and milk compositions in cows with different udder health conditions were compared in the present study. Furthermore, the correlations between udder health status and ruminal conditions were investigated. Based on the somatic cell counts (SCC), California mastitis test (CMT) parameters and clinical symptoms of mastitis, 60 lactating Holstein dairy cows with similar body conditions (excepted for the udder health condition) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 20 per group) including the healthy (H) group, the subclinical mastitis (SM) group and the clinical mastitis (CM) group. Lactation performance and rumen fermentation parameters were recorded. And rumen microbiota and metabolites were also analyzed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. Results As the degree of mastitis increased, rumen lactic acid (LA) (P < 0.01), acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate (P < 0.001), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) (P < 0.01) concentrations were significantly decreased. In the rumen of CM cows, the significantly increased bacteria related to intestinal and oral inflammation, such as Lachnospiraceae (FDR-adjusted P = 0.039), Moraxella (FDR-adjusted P = 0.011) and Neisseriaceae (FDR-adjusted P = 0.036), etc., were accompanied by a significant increase in 12-oxo-20-dihydroxy-leukotriene B4 (FDR-adjusted P = 5.97 × 10− 9) and 10beta-hydroxy-6beta-isobutyrylfuranoeremophilane (FDR-adjusted P = 3.88 × 10− 10). Meanwhile, in the rumen of SM cows, the Ruminiclostridium_9 (FDR-adjusted P = 0.042) and Enterorhabdus (FDR-adjusted P = 0.043) were increased along with increasing methenamine (FDR-adjusted P = 6.95 × 10− 6), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde (5-HMF) (FDR-adjusted P = 2.02 × 10− 6) and 6-methoxymellein (FDR-adjusted P = 2.57 × 10− 5). The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria and probiotics in rumen, including Prevoterotoella_1 (FDR-adjusted P = 0.045) and Bifidobacterium (FDR-adjusted P = 0.035), etc., were significantly reduced, with decreasing 2-phenylbutyric acid (2-PBA) (FDR-adjusted P = 4.37 × 10− 6). Conclusion The results indicated that there was a significant shift in the ruminal microflora and metabolites associated with inflammation and immune responses during CM. Moreover, in the rumen of cows affected by SM, the relative abundance of several opportunistic pathogens and the level of metabolites which could produce antibacterial compounds or had a competitive inhibitory effect were all increased.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wang ◽  
Xuemei Nan ◽  
Yiguang Zhao ◽  
Linshu Jiang ◽  
Mengling Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Due to the high prevalence and complex etiology, bovine mastitis (BM) is one of the most important diseases to compromise dairy cow health and milk quality. The shift in milk compositions has been widely investigated during mastitis, but recent studies suggested that gastrointestinal microorganism also has a crucial effect on the inflammation of other peripheral tissues and organs, including the mammary gland. However, research focused on the variation of rumen inner-environment during mastitis is still limited. Therefore, the ruminal microbial profiles, metabolites, and milk compositions in cows with different udder health conditions were compared in the present study. Furthermore, the correlations between udder health status and ruminal conditions were investigated. Based on the somatic cell counts (SCC), California mastitis test (CMT) parameters and clinical symptoms of mastitis, 60 lactating Holstein dairy cows with similar body conditions (excepted for the udder health condition) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 20 per group) including the healthy (H) group, the subclinical mastitis (SM) group and the clinical mastitis (CM) group. Lactation performance and rumen fermentation parameters were recorded. And rumen microbiota and metabolites were also analyzed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. Results: As the degree of mastitis increased, rumen lactic acid (LA) (P < 0.01), acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate (P < 0.001), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) (P < 0.01) concentrations were significantly decreased. In the rumen of CM cows, the significantly increased bacteria related to intestinal and oral inflammation, such as Lachnospiraceae (FDR-adjusted P = 0.039), Moraxella (FDR-adjusted P = 0.011) and Neisseriaceae (FDR-adjusted P = 0.036), etc., were accompanied by a significant increase in 12-oxo-20-dihydroxy-leukotriene B4 (FDR-adjusted P = 5.97×10-9) and 10beta-Hydroxy-6beta-isobutyrylfuranoeremophilane (FDR-adjusted P = 3.88×10-10). Meanwhile, in the rumen of SM cows, the Ruminiclostridium_9 (FDR-adjusted P = 0.042) and Enterorhabdus (FDR-adjusted P = 0.043) were increased along with increasing methenamine (FDR-adjusted P = 6.95×10-6), 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde (5-HMF) (FDR-adjusted P = 2.02×10-6) and 6-Methoxymellein (FDR-adjusted P = 2.57×10-5). The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria and probiotics in rumen, including Prevoterotoella_1 (FDR-adjusted P = 0.045) and Bifidobacterium (FDR-adjusted P = 0.035), etc., were significantly reduced, with decreasing 2-Phenylbutyric acid (2-PBA) (FDR-adjusted P = 4.37×10-6).Conclusion: The results indicated that there was a significant shift in the ruminal microflora and metabolites associated with inflammation and immune responses during CM. Moreover, in the rumen of cows affected by SM, the relative abundance of several opportunistic pathogens and the level of metabolites which could produce antibacterial compounds or had a competitive inhibitory effect were all increased.


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