Genome-wise engineering of ruminant nutrition- nutrigenomics: applications, challenges, and future perspectives – a review

Use of genomic information in ruminant production systems can help relieve concerns related to food security and sustainability of production. Nutritional genomics (i.e., Nutrigenomics) is a field of research that is interested in all types of reciprocal interactions between nutrients and genomes of organisms, i.e., variable patterns of gene expression and effect of genetic variations on the nutritional environment. Devising a revolutionizing analytical approach to traditional ruminant nutrition research, the relatively novel area of ruminant nutrigenomics has several studies concerning different aspects of animal production systems. This paper aims to review the current nutrigenomics research in the frame of how nutrition of ruminants can be modified accounting for individual genetic backgrounds and gene/diet relationships behind productivity, quality, efficiency, disease resistance, fertility, and GHG emissions. Furthermore, current challenges facing ruminant nutrigenomics are evaluated and future directions for the novel area are strongly argued by this review.

The Microscopic Detection of Animal Proteins in Animal Feed Regarding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Due to the actuality of spongiform encephalopathies and their proven spreading by means of animal feed containing meat and bone meal, the description and measurement of osteocytic lacunae contributes to more easily distinguish bone fragments in meat and bone meal. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) have attracted a lot of attention, especially after 1986, when the first case of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) was detected. Since the outbreak of spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the use of animal protein including bone meal as an ingredient in animal feed has been controlled by several regulations including Regulation (EC) 999/2001, Regulation (EC) 1774/2002, and Regulation (EC) 1234/2003. The classical microscopic method is the only official method for detecting animal protein in animal feed in the European Union (Commission Regulation (EC) 152/2009). By applying the microscopic method to the animal feed samples, we performed detection in order to determine the presence of animal proteins that originate from mammals and fish. The microscopic analysis of all 421 samples, of which 115 were raw materials for the production of animal feed, 230 were concentrates for ruminant nutrition and 76 were concentrates for non-ruminant nutrition (32 concentrates for laying hens and 44 concentrates for pigs), did not provide positive results, that is, no remains of animal tissues of mammalian origin were found in any specimen. Whereas in 10 out of 32 (31.25%) concentrates intended for non-ruminant nutrition (laying hens), pieces of fish tissue were found. In these samples, we usually detected the presence of fish bones, gills and scales.

Validation of a Simple HPLC-Based Method for Lysine Quantification for Ruminant Nutrition

Robust and selective quantification methods are required to better analyze feed supplementation effectiveness with specific amino acids. In this work, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection is proposed and validated for lysine quantification, one of the most limiting amino acids in ruminant nutrition and essential towards milk production. To assess and widen method applicability, different matrices were considered: namely Li2CO3 buffer (the chosen standard reaction buffer), phosphate buffer solution (to mimic media in cellular studies), and rumen inoculum. The method was validated for all three matrices and found to be selective, accurate (92% ± 2%), and precise at both the inter- and intra-day levels in concentrations up to 225 µM, with detection and quantification limits lower than 1.24 and 4.14 µM, respectively. Sample stability was evaluated when stored at room temperature, 4 °C, and −20 °C, showing consistency for up to 48 h regardless of the matrix. Finally, the developed method was applied in the quantification of lysine on real samples. The results presented indicate that the proposed method can be applied towards free lysine quantification in ruminant feeding studies and potentially be of great benefit to dairy cow nutrition supplementation and optimization.

Effects of Parity Order on Performance, Metabolic, and Hormonal Parameters of Grazing Beef Cows During Pre-calving and Lactation Periods

Background: Metabolic profile evaluation is a tool widely used in ruminant nutrition as metabolic cues that relate nutrition to physiology. Metabolic and hormonal traits change during pre-partum and lactation according to parity in dairy cows, but studies of beef cows under grazing are scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate how metabolic and hormonal traits change over time, their relationship to performance, and determine if these factors differ according to the parity order of grazing beef cows. Thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (12 nulliparous, 12 primiparous, and 12 multiparous) were used. The study started at 60 d prepartum until 203 d of lactation.Results: The initial body weight (BW) and final BW were higher for multiparous cows (P > 0.05). An interaction occurred between parity and day (P <.0001) for body condition score (BCS). Nulliparous and primiparous BCS were reduced from -60 prepartum to 30 postpartum, then stabilized 60 postpartum (P < 0.05), while multiparous maintained BCS from -60 days until 60 days postpartum (P > 0.05). Calf BW, final BW, and ADG did not differ between parities (P > 0.05). Effect of day (P < 0.05) was detected for NEFA, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, progesterone, and insulin. An interaction was observed between parity and days for glucose, βHB, creatinine and IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Parity affected SUN, total proteins, albumin, and globulins (P < 0.05). Parity and day relative to calving did not impact total T3 and T4 (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Hormonal and metabolic profile is strongly influenced by the stage of lactation. Time effects (pre-partum and lactation period) were more pronounced in nulliparous since they displayed more unbalanced metabolic and hormonal traits and lowered BCS pre- and postpartum.

The Present Role and New Potentials of Anaerobic Fungi in Ruminant Nutrition

The ruminal microbiota allows ruminants to utilize fibrous feeds and is in the limelight of ruminant nutrition research for many years. However, the overwhelming majority of investigations have focused on bacteria, whereas anaerobic fungi (AF) have been widely neglected by ruminant nutritionists. Anaerobic fungi are not only crucial fiber degraders but also important nutrient sources for the host. This review summarizes the current findings on AF and, most importantly, discusses their new application potentials in modern ruminant nutrition. Available data suggest AF can be applied as direct-fed microbials to enhance ruminal fiber degradation, which is indeed of interest for high-yielding dairy cows that often show depressed ruminal fibrolysis in response to high-grain feeding. Moreover, these microorganisms have relevance for the nutrient supply and reduction of methane emissions. However, to reach AF-related improvements in ruminal fiber breakdown and animal performance, obstacles in large-scale AF cultivation and applicable administration options need to be overcome. At feedstuff level, silage production may benefit from the application of fungal enzymes that cleave lignocellulosic structures and consequently enable higher energy exploitation from forages in the rumen. Concluding, AF hold several potentials in improving ruminant feeding and future research efforts are called for to harness these potentials.

Examining the Variables Leading to Apparent Incongruity between Antimethanogenic Potential of Tannins and Their Observed Effects in Ruminants—A Review

In recent years, several secondary plant metabolites have been identified that possess antimethanogenic properties. Tannin-rich forages have the potential to reduce methane emissions in ruminants while also increasing their nutrient use efficiency and promoting overall animal health. However, results have been highly inconclusive to date, with their antimethanogenic potential and effects on both animal performance and nutrition being highly variable even within a plant species. This variability is attributed to the structural characteristics of the tannins, many of which have been linked to an increased antimethanogenic potential. However, these characteristics are seldom considered in ruminant nutrition studies—often because the analytical techniques are inadequate to identify tannin structure and the focus is mostly on total tannin concentrations. Hence, in this article, we (i) review previous research that illustrate the variability of the antimethanogenic potential of forages; (ii) identify the source of inconsistencies behind these results; and (iii) discuss how these could be optimized to generate comparable and repeatable results. By adhering to this roadmap, we propose that there are clear links between plant metabolome and physiology and their antimethanogenic potential that can be established with the ultimate goal of improving the sustainable intensification of livestock.

Utilização de Aditivos para Bovinos de Corte em Confinamento

Diante de grandes avanços em técnicas de nutrição, manejo, sanidade e melhoramento animal, o Brasil se consolidou líder em exportações de carnes. Assim, pesquisadores, técnicos e produtores têm procurado trabalhar em prol de melhorar a eficiência da fermentação ruminal, para aumentar a produção de propionato, e diminuir a metanogênese, a proteólise e a desaminação das proteínas do alimento no rúmen. Estas mudanças levam, positivamente, a melhoria na eficiência produtiva dos ruminantes. Essa eficiência pode ser alcançada através de melhorias nos índices zootécnicos, utilização e avaliação de raças mais produtivas aos diversos sistemas de produção utilizados no Brasil e, ainda, técnicas como a utilização de aditivos que são usados para melhorar a eficiência dos alimentos, estimulando o crescimento, e engorda dos animais dispostos, ou apenas para beneficiar, de alguma forma, a saúde e o metabolismo dos animais. Tentativas para alcançar a melhor eficiência são realizadas com técnicas de manipulação da dieta, assim, durante as últimas décadas, certo número de aditivos alimentares tem sido descoberto, e quando usados na alimentação dos ruminantes esses podem satisfazer alguns ou quase todos os objetivos em pesquisas. Sendo assim, a elaboração deste estudo se mostra necessária, buscando elucidar todos estes fatores preponderantes para a melhoria dos processos produtivos na nutrição de ruminantes. Palavras-chave: Nutrição de Ruminantes. Monoenzimas. Ionóforos. Abstract Considering major advances in nutrition, management techniques, and improving animal health, Brazil is a consolidated leader in meat exports. Thus, researchers, technicians and producers have sought to work towards improving the efficiency of ruminal fermentation, to increase the production of propionate, and decrease methanogenesis, proteolysis and the proteins deamination in food. This efficiency can be achieved through improvements in zootechnical indices, utilization and evaluation of more productive breeds to the various production systems used in Brazil, as well as techniques such as the use of additives that are used to improve food efficiency, stimulating growth, and fattening animals, or just to somehow benefit the animals’ health and metabolism. These changes lead, positively, to the improvement in ruminants’ production efficiency. Attempts to achieve the best efficiency are made with diet manipulation techniques, during the last decades a number of food additives have been discovered, and when used in the ruminants’ feeding can satisfy some or almost all the research objectives. Thus, this study is necessary, seeking to elucidate all these factors for the improvement of the production processes in ruminant nutrition. Keywords: Nutrition of Ruminants. Monoenzymes. Ionophores.

Soybean in pre-ruminant nutrition: A review

Soybean,Glycine max, is a highly nutritious seed. It contains high quality protein and unsaturated fat. Despite the high nutritive value of soybeans, its use has been limited by a number of anti- nutritional .factors which are capable of causing adverse nutritional and physiological responses in animals. Several processing methods such as heat treatment, use of chemicals such as acids, alkali and alcohols or a combination of these have been developed and used to reduce or completely eliminate these anti-nutritional factors and hence improve its utilization. This review addresses the nutritive value of soybean, anti-nutritional factors, effect of processing on the nutritive value of the seed and the utilization of soybean in milk replacers for pre-ruminants. Well processed soybean can provide high quality proteins that can be used to replace milk proteins in milk replacers for pre ruminants. Studies on utilization of milk replacers by pre-ruminants are scanty in Nigeria. More effort needs to be devoted to research in this area.