scholarly journals 270 Evidence for the amnion-fetal gut-microbial axis in late gestation beef calves

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 196-197
Author(s):  
Gwendolynn Hummel ◽  
Kelly Woodruff ◽  
Kathleen Austin ◽  
Travis Smith ◽  
Hannah Cunningham

Abstract As the most immediate membrane surrounding the fetus, the amnion carries great potential as a microbial source of inoculation for the calf’s rumen microbiome. We hypothesize the calf is exposed to a microbial source prior to birth, and that the amnion plays an essential role in inoculation prepartum. Our objective was to isolate and identify microbes of the amniotic fluid and vaginal canal during late gestation and compare these populations to rumen fluid and meconium of newborn calves. Vaginal (VAG) and amniotic fluid (AF) samples were obtained from multiparous beef cows (n = 10) 10 days prior to their expected calving date. Rumen fluid (RF) and meconium (MEC) samples were obtained from each newborn calf immediately following parturition. Microbial DNA was isolated and purified utilizing the QIAmp DNA Stool Minikit (Qiagen) for amplicon 16S rRNA sequencing. All analysis was performed in QIIME2. Alpha-diversity was not different between MEC and AF (q ≥ 0.09) under any metric, but MEC and VAG differed under Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity (q = 0.03). The MEC, AF, and VAG all differed in beta-diversity (q = 0.003). The degree of similarity between AF and MEC may indicate the AF plays a crucial role in the colonization of the fetal gut prepartum. Each of these lines of evidence outline fundamental aspects of the unfolding amnion-fetal gut-microbial axis, and provide key targets for future research into rumen development and the manipulation of feed efficiency in beef calves.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 164-164
Author(s):  
Kelly Woodruff ◽  
Gwendolynn Hummel ◽  
Kathleen Austin ◽  
Travis Smith ◽  
Hannah Cunningham-Hollinger

Abstract Understanding the development of the calf rumen microbiome is important in developing manipulation strategies to improve efficiency as the animal ages. We hypothesized that the cow maternal microbiome would influence the colonization of the calf rumen microbiome. Our objective was to relate the microbiomes of the cow rumen fluid (RFC) to the calf meconium (M) and calf rumen fluid (RFN) at twenty-eight days of age. Mature, multiparous Angus crossbred cows (n = 10) from the University of Wyoming beef herd were used in this study. Rumen fluid was collected from the cows prior to parturition. Immediately following parturition, meconium was collected from the calf and at 28 days post-parturition, rumen fluid was collected from the calves. Microbial DNA was isolated using a lysis buffer and mechanical bead-beating procedure and purified using the QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen). Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 region was completed on the MiSeq and analyzed with QIIME2. Both alpha and beta diversity were evaluated by sample type and day. Richness and evenness differed by sample type. The greatest richness and evenness was in RFC (q < 0.01) followed by RFN and M, which did not differ from each other (q ³ 0.5). Bray-Curtis and Jaccard beta diversity differed by each sample type (q < 0.01). These data indicate that the M and RFN do not differ in number and distribution of features, but the samples are compositionally different. Additionally, the RFC differed in both alpha and beta diversity from both calf samples. These profiles can be used to develop hypotheses for the pathway of colonization in the early gut yet still reflect the vast differences in the developmental stage between the cow rumen microbiome and the early calf gastrointestinal microbiome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 220-220
Author(s):  
Bobwealth O Omontese ◽  
Ashok K Sharma ◽  
Jason Langlie ◽  
Joe Armstrong ◽  
Alfredo DiCostanzo ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgrounding (BKG) segment in beef production systems is characterized by utilization of different forages which affect growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, it is unclear how BKG systems impact rumen microbiome. We investigated rumen microbiome dynamics of beef calves under different BKG systems. At weaning, Angus and Angus x Simmental beef calves (n = 38) were stratified by age, weight, and sex in a completely randomized design into 1 of 3 BKG treatments for 55 d: 1) perennial pasture (PP; quackgrass, orchardgrass; smooth bromegrass, red clover, and alfalfa); 2) summer annual cover crop (CC; cereal oats, purple top turnips, hunter forage brassica, and graza forage radish); and 3) dry lot (DL; haylage, corn, and DDGS). After BKG, all calves were assigned to a high energy ration in a feedlot. Rumen sample was collected via esophageal tubing at weaning, BKG and feedlot. A total of 190 rumen fluid samples were used to sequence the hypervariable V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The results showed that BKG systems largely influenced rumen bacterial communities. Specifically, microbiome composition and diversity were not different at weaning, diverged significantly during BKG (Shannon index, Bray Curtis distance metrics; P < 0.001) and homogenized during feedlot. During the BKG segment, the bacterial genera Agrobacterium, Coprococcus, and Ruminococcus were dominant in CC whereas Fibrobacteraceae and Mycoplasmataceae was most dominant in DL. Moreover, rumen microbiome patterns of CC and DL calves showed increased plasticity in early stages of development but not during feedlot with PP showing fewer changes over time. These results indicate that BKG systems significantly modulate the rumen microbiome of beef cattle and, underscore the importance of early developmental stages as potential targets for feeding interventions that can impact the animal microbiome to enhance animal performance.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1712
Author(s):  
Naren Gaowa ◽  
Kevin Panke-Buisse ◽  
Shuxiang Wang ◽  
Haibo Wang ◽  
Zhijun Cao ◽  
...  

Brisket disease is heritable but is also associated with non-genetic risk factors and effects of the disease on the rumen microbiome are unknown. Ten Holstein heifers were exposed to the plateau environment for three months and divided into two groups according to the index of brisket disease, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP): brisket disease group (BD, n = 5, mPAP > 63 mmHg) and healthy heifer group (HH, n = 5, mPAP < 41 mmHg). Rumen fluid was collected for analysis of the concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Extracted DNA from rumen contents was analyzed using Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing technology. The concentration of total VFA and alpha-diversity metrics were significantly lower in BD group (p < 0.05). Ruminococcus and Treponema were significantly decreased in BD heifers (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that 10 genera were related to the mPAP (p < 0.05). Genera of Anaerofustis, Campylobacter, and Catonella were negatively correlated with total VFA and acetic acid (R < −0.7, p < 0.05), while genera of Blautia, YRC22, Ruminococcus, and Treponema were positively related to total VFA and acetic acid (R > 0.7; p < 0.05). Our findings may be a useful biomarker in future brisket disease work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 346-358
Author(s):  
H. Khazanehei ◽  
S. Li ◽  
E. Khafipour ◽  
J.C. Plaizier

The composition of rumen microbiota during late gestation and early lactation was compared between cows receiving a close-up diet (1.43 Mcal net energy of lactation (NEl) kg−1 dry matter (DM)) throughout a 40 d dry period (SHORT) and cows receiving a far-off diet (1.28 Mcal NEl kg−1 DM) as well as the close-up diet (as above) for 39 and 21 d, respectively, during a conventional 60 d dry period (CONV). Rumen fluid was collected at weeks −2, −1, +1, +2, and +7 relative to calving. Extracted DNA was analyzed for taxonomic composition of the rumen microbiome using MiSeq Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. At week +1, this composition differed (P < 0.05) between treatments. In cows under the CONV treatment, this composition only differed (P < 0.05) between weeks −1 and +1. For SHORT cows, this composition tended to differ between weeks +1 and +2 (P = 0.09) as well as between weeks +2 and +7 (P < 0.03). The change of the taxonomic composition of the rumen microbiota after calving, mainly consisting of increases in the abundance of Firmicutes and decreases in that of Bacteroidites, was comparatively slower and less favourable under the SHORT treatment. This may have been due to more excessive grain intake before calving of cows on the latter treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 195-195
Author(s):  
Kelly Woodruff ◽  
Gwendolynn Hummel ◽  
Kathleen Austin ◽  
Travis Smith ◽  
Hannah Cunningham

Abstract Optimization of host performance may be achieved through programming of the rumen microbiome. Thus, understanding maternal influences on the development of the calf rumen microbiome is critical. We hypothesized that the cow maternal rumen microbiome would influence colonization of the calf rumen microbiome. Our objective was to relate the microbiome of the cow rumen fluid prior to parturition (RFC) and at weaning (RFCw) to the calf’s meconium microbiome (M) and calf rumen fluid microbiome at birth (RFd1), d 2 (RFd2), d 28 (RFd28), and weaning (RFNw). Multiparous Angus crossbred cows (n = 10) from the University of Wyoming beef herd were used. Rumen fluid was collected from the cows prior to parturition and at weaning. Immediately following parturition, meconium and rumen fluid were collected from the calf. Rumen fluid was collected again at d 2, 28, and at weaning. Microbial DNA was isolated and 16S rRNA sequencing was completed on the Illumina MiSeq. Sequence data were analyzed with QIIME2 to determine both alpha and beta diversity by sample type and day. Alpha diversity metrics reported similarities in the early gut microbiome (M, RFd1, and RFD2; q ≥ 0.12) and between the cow and calf at weaning (q ≥ 0.06). Microbial composition as determined by beta diversity differed in the early rumen microbiome (RFd1, RFd2, and RFd28; q ≤ 0.04). There were similarities in composition between M, RFCw, and RFd1 (q ≥ 0.09). These data can be used to develop hypotheses for the pathway of colonization in the early gut and can provide insight into management practices affecting the microbiome, improving host performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 192-192
Author(s):  
Alice Brandão ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Kelsey Schubach ◽  
Bruna Rett ◽  
Osvaldo Souza ◽  
...  

Abstract This experiment compared performance and physiological responses of the offspring from cows supplemented with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or prilled saturated fat (CON) during late gestation. Non-lactating, pregnant Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) that conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol, using semen from 2 sires, were used in this experiment. Cows were ranked by pregnancy sire, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS). On d 180 of gestation (d -15), cows were randomly assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of soybean meal per cow daily in addition to 1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows were maintained in 2 pastures (26 cows/treatment per pasture), and received daily 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis) of grass-alfalfa hay. From d 0 until calving, cows were segregated into 1 of 24 feeding pens thrice weekly and received treatments individually. Cow BW and BCS were recorded, and blood samples were collected on d -15 of the experiment and within 12 h after calving. Calf BW was also recorded and blood sample collected within 12 h of calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d (d 291 to 325), and transferred to a feedyard where they remained until slaughter. Upon calving, CSSO cows and calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) plasma concentrations of linoleic acid and total ω - 6 FA compared with CON cohorts. No differences in calf birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36) between treatments. Average daily gain and final BW in the feedlot were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON (Table 5). Upon slaughter, longissimus muscle area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results suggest that supplementing CSSO to late-gestating beef cows stimulated programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and Page 2 of 15 For Peer Review health. Therefore, supplementing late-gestating beef cows with CSSO appears to optimize offspring welfare and productivity in beef production systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 59-59
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Marcelo Vedovatto ◽  
Juliana Ranches ◽  
Vinicius Gouvea ◽  
Rhaiza Oliveira ◽  
...  

Abstract This study evaluated the growth, immunity, and carcass characteristics of beef steers born to cows offered dried distillers grains (DDG) at different timing during late gestation. Approximately 84 d before calving (d 0), 84 mature Brangus cows were stratified by BW and BCS (422 ± 42 kg; 5.0 ± 0.14) and allocated into 1 of 6 bahiagrass pastures (14 cows/pasture). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures: 1) no prepartum supplementation (CON); 2) 1 kg/d DDG from d 0 to 84 (LATE84); or 3) 2 kg/d from d 0 to 42 (LATE42). Calves were weaned at 261 ± 23 d of age. At weaning, 38 steers were vaccinated against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV-1) and parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) and transported to a feedlot facility. Steers were penned according to cow prepartum pasture distribution and fed a similar diet until slaughter (d 587). Data were analyzed as complete randomized design using MIXED procedure of SAS, pasture as the experimental unit, treatment as fixed effect, and pasture(treatment) and steer(pasture) as random effects. Steer feedlot BW, ADG, DMI, and G:F did not differ (P ≥ 0.12) among treatments. Plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for LATE42 and LATE84 vs. CON steers 2 d after feedlot entry. Plasma cortisol and seroconversion for BVDV-1 and PI-3 did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) among treatments. The percentage of carcasses grading Choice did not differ (P = 0.13), but carcasses grading low Choice were greater (P = 0.03) for CON vs. LATE42, with LATE84 being intermediate (91, 40, and 58%, respectively). Thus, prepartum dried distillers grain supplementation to B. indicus-influenced cows did not enhance feedlot growth but had subtle positive impacts on carcass quality and innate immunity in steer progeny. In addition, timing of dried distillers grain supplementation (last 84 d vs. first 42 d of late gestation) did not impact steer post-weaning feedlot performance and carcass quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Welch ◽  
Michael K. Shaw ◽  
Kathryn C. Welch

AbstractLysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) is required in the biosynthesis of pulmonary surfactant. This short communication describes our assessment of LPCAT1 mRNA levels in human amniotic fluid. We found a direct correlation between LPCAT1 mRNA copies and the amniotic fluid lamellar body count (LBC). This finding corroborates an association between LPCAT1 and surfactant phospholipid biosynthesis in humans. It may provide a model for future research in perinatal medicine.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Funmileyi O. Awobajo ◽  
Ayodele O. Morakinyo ◽  
Titilola A. Samuel ◽  
Oluwakemi T. Oyelowo ◽  
Abimbola O. Ogunsola ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Genistein was reported to adversely influence fetal development although this is yet to be fully understood as a mechanism. Methods In this study, pregnant rats were divided into control (Cont.) and genistein force-fed (2-mg/kg and 4-mg/kg) groups. Each group was divided further into five subgroups: GD-0, GD-6, GD-13, GD-18, and GD-20 based on the terminal gestational day (GD). On the respective terminal GD, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples and amniotic fluid were carefully collected and separated and placenta homogenates were prepared. These samples were evaluated for oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. The weights of embryonic implant and placenta tissue were also recorded. Heat shock protein (Hsp) (60 and 90), corticosterone, and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined in all the samples. Results Fetal and placental weights in all genistein-exposed groups were significantly decreased. A fluctuation in the level of the Hsp was recorded with a significant decrease recorded in Hsp90 level in the placenta and amniotic fluid towards GD-20 along with a concomitant increase in the corticosterone level in the amniotic fluid in all genistein groups compared to control. Maternal serum at GD-18 and GD -20 recorded a significant increase in antioxidant level (SOD, GSH, CAT) in all genistein-exposed groups. However, these antioxidants were significantly reduced in the placenta and the amniotic fluid compared to control. Conclusions Genistein enhances the placenta function in attenuating the risk of oxidative stress in the amniotic fluid and deferentially suppressed inflammatory activities in the placenta during early gestation and towards late gestation period.


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