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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #278578
Title: Modification of digestive system microbiome of lactating dairy cows by feeding Bovamine: effect on ruminal fermentation

Author
item OSMAN, MOHAMED - Iowa State University
item Stabel, Judith
item ONDA, KEN - Azabu University
item DOWD, SCOT - Research & Testing Laboratory
item KREIKEMEIER, WANDA - Nutrition Physiology Company, Llc (NPC)
item WARE, DOUGLAS - Nutrition Physiology Company, Llc (NPC)
item BEITZ, DONALD - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Iowa State University Animal Industry Report
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2012
Publication Date: 2/8/2012
Citation: Osman, M., Stabel, J.R., Onda, K., Dowd, S., Kreikemeier, W., Ware, D., Beitz, D.C. 2012. Modification of digestive system microbiome of lactating dairy cows by feeding Bovamine: effect on ruminal fermentation. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report. A.S. Leaflet No. R2701. 2 p.

Interpretive Summary: Bovamine® is a probiotic formulation that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NP51, a lactic acid producer, and Probionibacterium freudenreichii, a lactic acid utilizer. These metabolic properties of the microbial constituents of Bovamine® allow the feeding of concentrates to high producing dairy cows to increase milk production. Additionally, it has been established that Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NP51 favorably modifies the immune responses of dairy cows and of a mouse model of Johne’s disease. Thus, the use of Bovamine® to improve ruminal digestibility and milk production and enhance immune responses of lactating dairy cows was evaluated to see if it would improve feed efficiency, productivity, health, and thus profitability of dairy cattle. The results shown in this study suggest that feeding Bovamine® for 6 weeks modified the ruminal microbiome and improved ruminal fermentation compared to untreated cows. Further studies are required to determine an impact of Bovamine® during a longer feeding study.

Technical Abstract: We evaluated the immune modulatory effects as well as effects on productivity of Bovamine® (Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NP51 and Probionibacterium freudenreichii) on the digestive system microbiome of dairy cattle during late lactation (average DIM = 202). To unveil the underlying mechanisms, we examined Bovamine effects on ruminal total volative fatty acids (VFA) concentration and the Firmicutes:Bacteroides. Dairy cows were randomized to treatment groups that were fed either the Bovamine® or the lactose carrier top-dressed on the total mixed ration (TMR) for six weeks. Feeding Bovamine® favorably modified the digestive system microbiome as determined by the bacterial tag encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP). Fecal Firmicutes:Bacteroides was decreased, suggesting decreased shedding of potential pathogens. Conversely, ruminal Firmicutes:Bacteroides was increased, indicating increased energy harvest. As a result, concentrations of the total VFA were increased significantly in the rumen. Also, natural killer cells (NK) frequency was increased under stimulation with mitogen concanavalin A (ConA) in vitro, suggesting improved cattle immunity. Results advocate that feeding Bovamine to lactating dairy cows favorably alters their digestive system microbiome, improves the dietary energy availability, and health of cattle with significant implications to transition and early lactation dairy cows. A future study will be conducted to determine possible improvement in feed efficiency of mid-lactation dairy cows.