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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423132
Research Project: Environmental and Management Influences on Animal Productivity and Well-Being Phenotypes

Location: Livestock Issues Research

Title: Microbial dynamics in beef-on-dairy calves deprived of colostrum

Author
item SANTOS, RAFAELA - Texas Tech University
item HOLZAPFEL, KEERA - Texas Tech University
item GADE, SRAVANI - Texas Tech University
item KLUPPEL, LUCIANA - Texas Tech University
item MARAIS, DIEGO - Texas Tech University
item ROCHA, CAROLINE - Texas Tech University
item MACHADO, VINICIUS - Texas Tech University
item BALLOU, MICHAEL - Texas Tech University
item Broadway, Paul
item Sanchez, Nicole
item ROSA, FERNANDA - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Journal Dairy Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2025
Publication Date: 6/1/2025
Citation: Santos, R., Holzapfel, K., Gade, S., Kluppel, L., Marais, D., Rocha, C., Machado, V., Ballou, M.S., Broadway, P.R., Sanchez, N.C., Rosa, F. 2025. Microbial dynamics in beef-on-dairy calves deprived of colostrum. Journal Dairy Science Supplement.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Initial gut microbiota development is crucial for nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and protection against infections. Colostrum ingestion and absorption plays a crucial role in this process. In addition to promoting immunity, colostrum feeding promotes gut microbiota colonization by facilitating the growth of beneficial species. In this study, we examined the effect of colostrum deprivation on the microbial community in neonatal beef-on-dairy calves exposed to Salmonella Typhimurium. Newborn crossbred beef x dairy calves (n = 24) were enrolled in this study until 21 days of age. After birth, calves were randomly assigned to a colostrum-deprived or colostrum-fed group. A subset of calves in each group was orally inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium at 8 days of age. Thus, the experimental groups were colostrum-deprived non-Salmonella (n=4), colostrum-deprived Salmonella (n=4), colostrum-fed non-Salmonella (n=6), and colostrum-fed Salmonella (n=6). Meconium samples were collected from all calves within 24 hours after birth. At 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 21 days of age rectal swabs were collected from all calves and stored at -80°C until metagenomics analyses. The V1-V3 region of 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted using Illumina MiSeq platform. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were calculated, and the relative abundance for group differences measured using ANOVA. Statistical significance was declared at P = 0.05. A significant reduction in microbial richness (Shannon Diversity) was observed in the colostrum-deprived Salmonella calves compared to the colostrum-fed Salmonella group (P = 0.02). Overall, Fusobacterium mortiferum and Lachnospiraceae were enriched in the colostrum-deprived relative to the colostrum-fed calves (P < 0.01). At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes significantly decreased in the colostrum-deprived Salmonella-inoculated calves (P < 0.01) post-Salmonella inoculation. Our findings suggest that colostrum feeding affects specific beneficial microbial taxa that influences gut health. This initial colonization is crucial for the development of a stable and functional gut microbiome in beef-on-dairy calves.