Illumina MiSeq sequencing reveals the effects of grape seed procyanidin on rumen archaeal communities in vitro

Zhang, Hua,Tong, Jinjin,Wang, Zun,Xiong, Benhai,Jiang, Linshu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.1

Objective: The present study explored the effects of grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on rumen fermentation, methane production and archaeal communities in vitro. Methods: A completely randomized experiment was conducted with in vitro incubation in a control group (CON, no GSPE addition; n = 9) and the treatment group (GSPE, 1 mg/bottle GSPE, 2 g/kg dry matter; n = 9). The methane and volatile fatty acid concentrations were determined using gas chromatography. To explore methane inhibition after fermentation and the response of the ruminal microbiota to GSPE, archaeal 16S rRNA genes were sequenced by MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. Results: The results showed that supplementation with GSPE could significantly inhibit gas production and methane production. In addition, GSPE treatment significantly increased the proportion of propionate, while the acetate/propionate ratio was significantly decreased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Methanomassiliicoccus was significantly increased, while the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter decreased significantly in the GSPE group. Conclusion: In conclusion, GSPE is a plant extract that can reduce methane production by affecting the structures of archaeal communities, which was achieved by a substitution of Methanobrevibacter with Methanomassiliicoccus.

Metabolomics reveals potential biomarkers in the rumen fluid of dairy cows with different levels of milk production

Zhang, Hua,Tong, Jinjin,Zhang, Yonghong,Xiong, Benhai,Jiang, Linshu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.1

Objective: In the present study, an liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) metabolomics approach was performed to investigate potential biomarkers of milk production in high- and low-milk-yield dairy cows and to establish correlations among rumen fluid metabolites. Methods: Sixteen lactating dairy cows with similar parity and days in milk were divided into high-yield (HY) and low-yield (LY) groups based on milk yield. On day 21, rumen fluid metabolites were quantified applying LC/MS. Results: The principal component analysis and orthogonal correction partial least squares discriminant analysis showed significantly separated clusters of the ruminal metabolite profiles of HY and LY groups. Compared with HY group, a total of 24 ruminal metabolites were significantly greater in LY group, such as 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid derivatives (L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-tyrosine, etc.), diazines (uracil, thymine, cytosine), and palmitic acid, while the concentrations of 30 metabolites were dramatically decreased in LY group compared to HY group, included gentisic acid, caprylic acid, and myristic acid. The metabolite enrichment analysis indicated that protein digestion and absorption, ABC transporters and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly different between the two groups. Correlation analysis between the ruminal microbiome and metabolites revealed that certain typical metabolites were exceedingly associated with definite ruminal bacteria; Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Synergistetes phyla were highly correlated with most metabolites. Conclusion: These findings revealed that the ruminal metabolite profiles were significantly different between HY and LY groups, and these results may provide novel insights to evaluate biomarkers for a better feed digestion and may reveal the potential mechanism underlying the difference in milk yield in dairy cows.

Effects of monochromatic lights on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, eyeball development, oxidation resistance, and cecal bacteria of Pekin ducks

Hua, Dengke,Xue, Fuguang,Xin, Hairui,Zhao, Yiguang,Wang, Yue,Xiong, Benhai Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.5

Objective: Light is a significant component of housing environment in commercial poultry industry. This study was conducted to investigate whether Pekin ducks perform better under monochromatic lights than under white light with respect to their growth performance, carcass quality, eyeball development, oxidation resistance, and cecal bacterial communities. Methods: A total of 320 one-day-old male Pekin ducklings were randomly distributed into five rooms with different light treatments, white, red, yellow, green, and blue light. Each room consisted of 4 replicated pens with 16 ducklings per pen. Results: Blue light significantly decreased fat deposition by decreasing abdominal fat. Long wavelength light, such as red, green, and yellow light, considerably increased the back-to-front eyeball diameter and the red light potentially enlarged the side-to-side eyeball diameter. Besides, the blue light had adverse effects on the oxidation resistance status in terms of increasing the product malonaldehyde of lipid oxidation and decreasing the plasma concentration of total superoxide dismutase. The phyla of Firmicutes had the greatest abundance in the green and blue treatments, while Bacteroidetes in blue treatment was the least. The genus of Faecalibacterium was significantly lower under the red light. Conclusion: The high risk of cecal health status and decreased anti-oxidation activity were observed under blue light. Red, yellow, and green light might increase the risk of oversized eyeball and cecal illness. Therefore, monochromatic lights compared to white light did not show advantages on the performance of housing ducks, it turns out that the white light is the best light condition for grow-out ducks.

Effects of bamboo leaf extract on the production performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen bacterial communities of heat-stressed dairy cows

Li, Yi,Fang, Luoyun,Xue, Fuguang,Mao, Shengyong,Xiong, Benhai,Ma, Zhu,Jiang, Linshu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.11

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on the production performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen bacterial communities of heat-stressed dairy cows. Methods: The experiment comprised a 14-day adaptation period and a 21-day experimental period and was conducted in a high-temperature and humidity environment (daily mean ambient temperature = 33.5℃±1.3℃; daily mean relative humidity = 64.9%±0.8%, daily mean temperature-humidity index = 86.2±0.4). Twelve Holstein dairy cows were randomly allocated into two groups. A total mixed ration supplemented with BLE at 0 (CON) and 1.3 g/kg dry matter (DM) were fed, respectively. Feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Milk samples were collected on 1, 11, and 21 d of the experimental period to analyze milk performance. Rumen fluid samples were collected on 21 d of the experimental period to analyze rumen fermentation parameters and rumen bacterial communities. Results: Compared with the control group, supplementation of BLE increased milk yield (p<0.01), milk fat yield (p = 0.04), 4% fat-corrected milk (p<0.01) and milk fat content (p<0.01); reduced somatic cell count (p<0.01). No differences in DM intake and milk protein or lactose content were observed between two groups. Supplementation of BLE also increased the rumen total volatile fatty acid (p<0.01), acetate (p<0.01), butyrate (p<0.01), and valerate (p = 0.05) concentrations. However, no significant effects were observed on rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, propionate, acetate/propionate ratio, isobutyrate, or isovalerate. Furthermore, BLE increased the rumen bacterial abundance and the diversity of the rumen bacterial community. The BLE reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes abundance ratio and increased the abundances of Butyrivibrio_2 (p<0.01) and Ruminococcus_2 (p<0.01). Conclusion: The BLE supplementation at 1.3 g/kg DM could improve production performance and rumen fermentation in dairy cows during heat stress.

Effects of Lonicera japonica extract on performance, blood biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress during perinatal period in dairy cows

Zhao Yiguang,Tang Zhiwen,Nan Xuemei,Sun Fuyu,Jiang Linshu,Xiong Benhai 아세아·태평양축산학회 2020 Animal Bioscience Vol.33 No.7

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) on milk production, rumen fermentation and blood biomarkers of energy metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress during the perinatal period of Holstein dairy cows. Methods: Eighteen Holstein dairy cows were used in a complete randomized design experiment with 3 dietary treatments and 6 cows per treatment. All cows received the same basal total mixed ration (TMR) including a prepartal diet (1.35 Mcal of net energy for lactation [NEL]/kg of dry matter [DM], 13.23% crude protein [CP]) from –60 d to calving and a postpartal diet (1.61 Mcal of NEL/kg of DM, 17.39% CP) from calving to 30 days in milk (DIM). The 3 dietary treatments were TMR supplemented with LJE at 0 (control), 1 and 2 g/kg DM, respectively. LJE was offered from 21 d before calving to 30 DIM. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production were measured daily after calving. Milk and rumen fluid samples were collected on 29 and 30 d after calving. On –10, 4, 14, and 30 d relative to calving, blood samples were collected to analyze the biomarkers of energy metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. Results: Compared with control diet, LJE supplementation at 1 and 2 g/kg DM increased DMI, milk yield and reduced milk somatic cell count. LJE supplementation also decreased the concentrations of blood biomarkers of pro-inflammation (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, and haptoglobin), energy metabolism (nonesterified fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyric acid) and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen metabolites), meanwhile increased the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase concentrations in blood. No differences were observed in rumen pH, volatile fatty acid, and ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentrations between LJE supplemented diets and the control diet. Conclusion: Supplementation with 1 and 2 g LJE/kg DM could increase DMI, improve lactation performance, and enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of dairy cows during perinatal period.