scholarly journals Effects of dietary forage and calf starter on ruminal pH and transcriptomic adaptation of the rumen epithelium in Holstein calves during the weaning transition

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 803-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yo-Han Kim ◽  
Noriyuki Toji ◽  
Keiichiro Kizaki ◽  
Shiro Kushibiki ◽  
Toshihiro Ichijo ◽  
...  

We investigated the relationship between ruminal pH and transcriptomic adaptation of the rumen epithelium (RE) of calves fed calf starter with and without forage during the weaning transition. Holstein calves were assigned to groups fed calf starter either with forage (HAY group, n = 3) or without forage (CON group, n = 4). Ruminal pH was measured continuously, and rumen fluid and epithelium were collected 3 wk after weaning. mRNA expression profiles of the RE were examined by one-color microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were investigated using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Mean and maximum ruminal pH were significantly ( P < 0.05) higher, and the duration of pH < 5.8 during 1 day was significantly ( P < 0.05) shorter, in the HAY group. The proportion of ruminal acetate and the acetate-to-propionate ratio were significantly ( P < 0.05) lower in the CON group. DEGs encoding transcription regulators (SREBP1), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP7 and CTGF), ketogenic enzymes (HMGCL, BDH1, and BDH2), and a transporter (SLC16A3) were identified ( P < 0.05) between the two groups. A growth factor (TGFB1) and signaling pathway (EGF and EGFR) were activated as upstream regulators. These results suggest that dietary forage alleviates ruminal acidosis, and the decrease in ruminal pH may damage the RE, leading to changes in gene expression to repair the damage. Furthermore, rumen development may be regulated by growth factor (TGFB1) and signaling pathways (EGF and IGFBP) for adaptation to feeding on calf starter with and without forage during the weaning transition.

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Gibson Maswayi Alugongo ◽  
...  

For determining the appropriate time of feeding hay, 210 healthy Holstein calves at day two were randomly divided into three groups: basic diet (calf starter) without hay (CON), and the inclusion of oat hay from the second week (H2) or fourth week (H4) with basic diet. Calves were weaned on day 56 and raised until day 70. Calf starter intake and fecal scores were recorded daily. The body weight, body size, and rumen fluid samples were collected every two weeks before and once a week after weaning. Compared to the basic diet group, the calves that were receiving oat hay from the second week had the highest starter intake (1086.1 g vs. 925.6 g; p < 0.05), body weight (68.4 kg vs. 63.0 kg; p < 0.01) and average daily gain (0.84 kg/d vs. 0.73 kg/d; p < 0.01) throughout the trial period. Compared to H4, calves received oat hay from the second week reduced the frequency (1.48% vs. 3.57%; p < 0.05) and duration of diarrhea (0.21 days vs. 0.50 days; p < 0.05) during post-weaning. Compared to the CON calves, the inclusion of oat hay from the second week increased the ruminal pH (6.38 vs. 6.19; p < 0.01) during the entire trial and increased the acetate (49.07% vs. 44.44%; p < 0.05) during post-weaning. Compared to the basic diet group, calves in H2 treatment spent more time in rumination (275.2 min/day vs. 133.3 min/day; p < 0.01) but less time in abnormal behaviors (80.5 min/day vs. 207.0 min/day; p < 0.01). In conclusion, calves supplemented with oat hay had an improved growth rate and rumen environment compared to calves fed calf starter only.


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. Martínez ◽  
K. E. Turnbull ◽  
S. P. Quigley ◽  
S. J. Streeter ◽  
A. Swain ◽  
...  

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between rumen liquid-associated bacterial community structures and post-weaning liveweight gain (LWG) of Brahman crossbred steers. Bacterial diversity was assessed using denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In Experiment 1, 16 steers were selected from a group of 100 steers by pairing steers with the same weaning weight, but different LWG 90 days after weaning (n = 8 highest growth, 0.21 ± 0.01 kg/day; and n = 8 lowest growth –0.07 ± 0.01 kg/day). Thereafter, steers were allocated to a 28-day pen study and fed Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) hay to examine DM intake and digestibility, rumen parameters and rumen microbial community in these two groups. Rumen fluid samples were taken by stomach tube 3 h after feeding on the last day of the pen phase. In Experiment 2, 12 pairs of weaned steers were selected from a group of 203 steers on the same basis as Experiment 1. The post-weaning LWG were 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.02 ± 0.03 kg/day for the 12 highest and 12 lowest growth animals selected, respectively. Steers then grazed dry season Sabi grass (Urochloa mosambicensis) dominant pasture for 21 days, before rumen sampling 3 h after morning grazing by stomach tubing on the last day. In Experiment 1, there were no significant differences between the two groups in DM intake, digestibility, ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration or the VFA proportion. In Experiments 1 and 2, rumen ammonia-N concentration was similar between LWG groups and there was no evidence of a relationship between liquid-phase DGGE profiles of rumen bacteria and high or low post-weaning LWG using multivariate analyses. Furthermore, the number of detected DGGE bands, the Shannon–Wiener and evenness indexes were not different between LWG groups. This DGGE analysis of the most abundant groups of rumen fluid-associated bacteria suggests that microbial populations were not related with the differences observed in post-weaning LWG within a group of weaners fed low crude protein diets.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (6) ◽  
pp. R1515-R1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Steele ◽  
Jim Croom ◽  
Melissa Kahler ◽  
Ousama AlZahal ◽  
Sarah E. Hook ◽  
...  

Alterations in rumen epithelial structure and function during grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) are largely undescribed. In this study, four mature nonlactating dairy cattle were transitioned from a high-forage diet (HF; 0% grain) to a high-grain diet (HG; 65% grain). After feeding the HG diet for 3 wk, the cattle were transitioned back to the original HF diet, which was fed for an additional 3 wk. Continuous ruminal pH was measured on a weekly basis, and rumen papillae were biopsied during the baseline and at the first and final week of each diet. The mean, minimum, and maximum daily ruminal pH were depressed ( P < 0.01) in the HG period compared with the HF period. During the HG period, SARA was diagnosed only during week 1, indicating ruminal adaptation to the HG diet. Microscopic examination of the papillae revealed a reduction ( P < 0.01) in the stratum basale, spinosum, and granulosum layers, as well as total depth of the epithelium during the HG period. The highest ( P < 0.05) papillae lesion scores were noted during week 1 when SARA occurred. Biopsied papillae exhibited a decline in cellular junctions, extensive sloughing of the stratum corneum, and the appearance of undifferentiated cells near the stratum corneum. Differential mRNA expression of candidate genes, including desmoglein 1 and IGF binding proteins 3, 5, and 6, was detected between diets using qRT-PCR. These results suggest that the structural integrity of the rumen epithelium is compromised during grain feeding and is associated with the differential expression of genes involved in epithelial growth and structure.


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1019-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. FLORES ◽  
L. E. PHILLIP ◽  
D. M. VEIRA ◽  
M. IVAN

A study was conducted with six sheep equipped with rumen and duodenal re-entrant cannulae to investigate differences in duodenal amino acid supply with fresh and ensiled alfalfa. The experiment was conducted as a cross-over design with two 12-d periods consisting of an adaptation phase (5 d) followed by feces collection (5 d), and finally on day 12, 24 h continuous collection of duodenal digesta and sampling of rumen fluid. During the experiment the sheep were restricted on feed to 52 g DM d−1 kg−0.75. Analyses of the forages revealed extensive breakdown of threonine, lysine and other basic amino acids, and high degree of preservation of branched chain amino acids. Relative to the amount consumed, there was a net loss of amino acids at the duodenum with fresh alfalfa but a net gain with silage. The relationship between intake of individual essential amino acids and duodenal recovery was inconsistent. Duodenal recovery of total essential amino acids was 28% higher with fresh than with ensiled alfalfa, a difference which was most pronounced with threonine and lysine. Digestion of organic matter and fiber was unaffected (P > 0.05) by ensiling of alfalfa. Estimates of ruminal pH were higher (P < 0.05) for silage than fresh forage (6.9 vs. 6.7) but VFA concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) for silage (52.1 vs. 64.1 mmol L−1). Rumen ammonia levels were similar for the two forages. The deficit in duodenal supply of essential amino acids with silage is discussed in relation to the problem of silage intake in ruminants. Key words: Alfalfa silage, duodenal amino acids, sheep, rumen digestion


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
Sara Ricci ◽  
Renee M Petri ◽  
Ezequias Castillo-Lopez ◽  
Raul Rivera-Chacon ◽  
Nicole Reisinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Phytogenic compounds, e.g. secondary plant compounds and essential oils, are often used as supplements in ruminant nutrition to modulate microbial fermentation under ruminal dysbiosis associated with high grain feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of phytogenic compounds on volatile fatty acids (VFA) production and composition in cows affected by subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Nine substances were tested at low and high dosage (1x and 10x respectively) using nine non-lactating ruminally cannulated Holstein cows, adapted to a 65% concentrate and 35% silage (grass and corn) ration (DM basis). Feeding was restricted for nine hours before providing the substance mixed with five kg of TMR. Each substance and dosage was tested individually on four cows (n = 4/compound/dose) over a period of four hours. Rumen and reticulum fluid were collected before the treatment, and four hours after feeding. VFA were measured with gas chromatography. Ruminal pH was continuously recorded (eCow indwelling pH systems). Data were analyzed with the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS. Seven out of nine compounds showed an effect or a trend on VFA measured, both in rumen and reticulum. Acetic acid in rumen fluid decreased with garlic oil, while low dose mint oil increased its concentration (P = 0.06 and P = 0.01, respectively). Low dose mint oil (P &lt; 0.01) and L-menthol (P = 0.03) both increased the A:P ratio, whereas garlic oil tended towards a decrease in the A:P ratio. Garlic oil and ginger showed negative correlations between total VFA and mean ruminal pH (P = 0.03 and P &lt; 0.01, respectively). Our results suggest that phytogenic compounds can modulate microbial activity within four hours of feeding. The use of phytogenic compounds may have beneficial effects on microbial fermentation under low pH conditions associated with high grain feeding.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-821
Author(s):  
A.M. Brzozowska ◽  
K. Słoniewski ◽  
J. Oprządek ◽  
P. Sobiech ◽  
Z.M. Kowalski

Abstract One of the largest challenges for the dairy industry is to provide cows with a diet which is highly energetic but does not negatively affect their rumens’ functions. In highly productive dairy cows, feeding diets rich in readily fermentable carbohydrates provides energy precursors needed for maximum milk production, but simultaneously decreases ruminal pH, leading to a widespread prevalence of subacute ruminal acidosis. Maximizing milk production without triggering rumen acidosis still challenges dairy farmers, who try to prevent prolonged bouts of low ruminal pH mainly by proper nutrition and management practices. The animals try to avoid overeating fermentable feeds, as it causes negative consequences by disturbing digestive processes. The results of several experiments show that ruminants, including sheep and beef cattle, are able to modify some aspects of feeding behaviour in order to adjust nutrient intake to their needs and simultaneously prevent physiological disturbances. Particularly, such changes (e.g., increased preference for fibrous feeds, reduced intake of concentrates) were observed in animals, which were trying to prevent the excessive drop of rumen fluid pH. Thanks to a specific mechanism called “the postingestive feedback”, animals should be able to work out such a balance in intake, so they do not suffer either from hunger or from negative effects of over-ingesting the fermentable carbohydrates. This way, an acidosis should not be a frequent problem in ruminants. However, prolonged periods of excessively decreased rumen pH are still a concern in dairy cows. It raises a question, why the regulation of feed intake by postingestive feedback does not help to maintain stable rumen environment in dairy cows?


Author(s):  
P. R. Chavelikar ◽  
G. and Neha Rao C. Mandali ◽  
Neha Rao

Ruminal acidosis is an important clinical emergency in small ruminants. In this study, eight healthy farm goats and 24 goats presented at TVCC of the college of Veterinary Sciences and A.H., Anand with clinical signs of ruminal acidosis and having rumen liquor pH below 6 were examined for alterations in the ruminal fluid and serum biochemical parameters. Among various rumen fluid parameters evaluated, the mean values of rumen fluid pH decreased significantly (4.71±0.11 vs. 6.90±0.10), while sediment activity time (46.67±1.20 vs. 24.50±0.78 min) and methylene blue reduction time (29.50±0.73 vs. 10.03±0.27 min) increased significantly in acidotic goats. The normal greenish, aromatic viscous color, odour and consistency of rumen fluid of healthy goats also changed to milky grey/creamy, sour/pungent watery in acidotic goats. The rumen protozoal activity decreased to nil in acidotic goats as compared to the healthy goats. Among various serum biochemical constituents, the mean values of glucose (92.43±1.37 vs. 74.13±1.83 mg/dl), BUN (26.49±0.47 vs. 22.63±1.19 mg/dl), serum creatinine (01.01±0.02 vs. 00.83±0.02 mg/dl) and albumin (03.22±0.03 vs. 03.05±0.05 g/dl), ALT (56.75±1.55 vs. 27.88±1.14 IU/L) and AST (93.25±1.82 vs. 54.00±1.75 IU/L), increased significantly, while there was significant decrease in serum calcium (09.09±0.14 vs. 10.29±0.08 mg/dl) in acidotic goats. The mean values of alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) in acidotic goats increased non-significantly from the base values of healthy goats.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 632
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Chao Wang ◽  
Along Peng ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Hongrong Wang

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is often caused by feeding a high-concentrate diet in intensive ruminant production. Although previous studies have shown that dietary thiamine supplementation can effectively increase rumen pH and modify rumen fermentation, the effect of thiamine supplementation on rumen carbohydrate-related microorganisms and enzymes in goats under SARA conditions remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary thiamine supplementation on carbohydrate-associated microorganisms and enzymes in the rumen of Saanen goats fed high-concentrate diets. Nine healthy mid-lactating Saanen goats in parity 1 or 2 were randomly assigned into three treatments: A control diet (CON; concentrate:forage (30:70)), a high-concentrate diet (HC; concentrate:forage (70:30)), and a high-concentrate diet with 200 mg of thiamine/kg of DMI (HCT; concentrate:forage (70:30)). Compared with the HC group, dietary thiamine supplementation improved ruminal microbes associated with fiber, including Prevotella, Fibrobacter, Neocallimastix, and Piromyces (p < 0.05). In addition, an increase in the relative abundance of enzymes involved in both fiber degradation and starch degradation, such as CBM16, GH3, and GH97, was observed in the HCT treatment. (p < 0.05). Thus, thiamine supplementation can improve carbohydrate metabolism by increasing the abundance of the microorganisms and enzymes involved in carbohydrate degradation. In conclusion, this study revealed the relationship between ruminal microbiota and enzymes, and these findings contributed to solving the problems arising from the high-concentrate feeding in ruminant production and to providing a new perspective on ruminant health.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Wu ◽  
Yiming Luo ◽  
Xiaoyong Wu ◽  
Xue Bai ◽  
Xueling Ye ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Night-break (NB) has been proven to repress flowering of short-day plants (SDPs). Long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in plant flowering. However, investigation of the relationship between lncRNAs and NB responses is still limited, especially in Chenopodium quinoa, an important short-day coarse cereal. Results In this study, we performed strand-specific RNA-seq of leaf samples collected from quinoa seedlings treated by SD and NB. A total of 4914 high-confidence lncRNAs were identified, out of which 91 lncRNAs showed specific responses to SD and NB. Based on the expression profiles, we identified 17 positive- and 7 negative-flowering lncRNAs. Co-expression network analysis indicated that 1653 mRNAs were the common targets of both types of flowering lncRNAs. By mapping these targets to the known flowering pathways in model plants, we found some pivotal flowering homologs, including 2 florigen encoding genes (FT (FLOWERING LOCUS T) and TSF (TWIN SISTER of FT) homologs), 3 circadian clock related genes (EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) homologs), 2 photoreceptor genes (PHYTOCHROME A (PHYA) and CRYPTOCHROME1 (CRY1) homologs), 1 B-BOX type CONSTANS (CO) homolog and 1 RELATED TO ABI3/VP1 (RAV1) homolog, were specifically affected by NB and competed by the positive and negative-flowering lncRNAs. We speculated that these potential flowering lncRNAs may mediate quinoa NB responses by modifying the expression of the floral homologous genes. Conclusions Together, the findings in this study will deepen our understanding of the roles of lncRNAs in NB responses, and provide valuable information for functional characterization in future.


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