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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338306
Title: Determination of succession of rumen bacterial species in nursing beef calves

Author
item SMITH, KATHRYN - New Mexico State University
item GARZA, A - New Mexico State University
item BUTTERFIELD, K - New Mexico State University
item Dickey, Aaron
item Lindholm-Perry, Amanda
item Wells, James - Jim
item Freetly, Harvey
item LODGE-IVEY, S - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Congress on Gastrointestinal Function
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2017
Publication Date: 4/3/2017
Citation: Smith, K.E., Garza, A.L., Butterfield, K.M., Dickey, A.M., Lindholm-Perry, A.K., Wells, J., Freetly, H.C., Lodge-Ivey, S.L. 2017. Determination of succession of rumen bacterial species in nursing beef calves [abstract]. 2017 Congress on Gastrointestinal Function, April 10-12, 2017, Chicago, IL. p. 40-41.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ruminants are typically born with a non-functional rumen essentially devoid of microorganisms. The succession of the microbial population in the rumen from birth to animal maturity is of interest due to the key role that the rumen microbial population plays in the overall health and productivity of the host animal. There is limited data available regarding the development of bacterial populations in beef calves managed under traditional systems. We hypothesize calves raised in differing environments will alter rumen bacterial population development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of environment on the succession of the bacterial population in the rumen of nursing beef calves over time. Ruminal samples were collected on day 7, 35, 63, 91, 119, 147, and 175 of age via oral lavage from Angus calves- in New Mexico (NMANG, n = 10) and Nebraska (NEANG, n = 10). The pastures at each location differed by plant species and diet quality. Samples were used for metagenome analysis of the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq 600 cycle v3 sequencing kit. A total of 122 samples produced 333,068 operational taxonomic units (OTU), after filtering for quality, and removing apparent chimeras, for an average of 2,338 for NEANG and 2,936 NMANG. Metagenomic analysis revealed a day by environment interaction for phylum (P <0.05). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla regardless of environment. On day 7 Bacteroidetes was greater (P < 0.01) in NEANG however by day 175 NMANG had a greater percentage of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.01). Firmicutes was the predominant phyla for NMANG on day 7 and remained greater (P < 0.01) than NEANG throughout the sampling days. The predominant genera in NEANG on day 7 were Prevotella, CF321, Fibrobacter, and Campylobacter (P < 0.05); however, these populations did not differ from NMANG on day 175 (P < 0.05). Butyrivibrio was greater (P < 0.01) in NMANG on day 7, but showed no differences by day 175. Genera richness increased from day 7 to day 175 with NMANG having greater (P < 0.01) richness throughout sampling days. Results show environmental effects that may be driven by diet quality and composition on the succession of the bacterial population in nursing beef calves.