Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase
The gastrointestinal microbiota of cattle is important for feedstuff degradation and feed efficiency determination. This study evaluated the fecal microbiome of Angus steers with distinct feed efficiencies during the feedlot-finishing phase. Angus steers (<i>n</i> = 65), fed a feedlot-fi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/6/1128 |
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| author | Jeferson M. Lourenco Christina B. Welch Taylor R. Krause Michael A. Wieczorek Francis L. Fluharty Michael J. Rothrock T. Dean Pringle Todd R. Callaway |
| author_facet | Jeferson M. Lourenco Christina B. Welch Taylor R. Krause Michael A. Wieczorek Francis L. Fluharty Michael J. Rothrock T. Dean Pringle Todd R. Callaway |
| author_sort | Jeferson M. Lourenco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The gastrointestinal microbiota of cattle is important for feedstuff degradation and feed efficiency determination. This study evaluated the fecal microbiome of Angus steers with distinct feed efficiencies during the feedlot-finishing phase. Angus steers (<i>n</i> = 65), fed a feedlot-finishing diet for 82 days, had growth performance metrics evaluated. Steers were ranked based upon residual feed intake (RFI), and the 5 lowest RFI (most efficient) and 5 highest RFI (least efficient) steers were selected for evaluation. Fecal samples were collected on 0-d and 82-d of the finishing period and microbial DNA was extracted and evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. During the feedlot trial, inefficient steers had decreased (<i>p</i> = 0.02) <i>Ruminococcaceae</i> populations and increased (<i>p</i> = 0.01) <i>Clostridiaceae</i> populations. Conversely, efficient steers had increased <i>Peptostreptococcaceae</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and <i>Turicibacteraceae</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and a trend for decreased <i>Proteobacteria</i> abundance (<i>p</i> = 0.096). Efficient steers had increased microbial richness and diversity during the feedlot period, which likely resulted in increased fiber-degrading enzymes in their hindgut, allowing them to extract more energy from the feed. Results suggest that cattle with better feed efficiency have greater diversity of hindgut microorganisms, resulting in more enzymes available for digestion, and improving energy harvest in the gut of efficient cattle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:00:12Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:00:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-95395b95df4a4971ac2d3dc2cf7566502023-11-23T18:03:27ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-05-01106112810.3390/microorganisms10061128Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing PhaseJeferson M. Lourenco0Christina B. Welch1Taylor R. Krause2Michael A. Wieczorek3Francis L. Fluharty4Michael J. Rothrock5T. Dean Pringle6Todd R. Callaway7Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USAEgg Safety and Quality Research Unit, Richard B. Russell Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Athens, GA 30605, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USAThe gastrointestinal microbiota of cattle is important for feedstuff degradation and feed efficiency determination. This study evaluated the fecal microbiome of Angus steers with distinct feed efficiencies during the feedlot-finishing phase. Angus steers (<i>n</i> = 65), fed a feedlot-finishing diet for 82 days, had growth performance metrics evaluated. Steers were ranked based upon residual feed intake (RFI), and the 5 lowest RFI (most efficient) and 5 highest RFI (least efficient) steers were selected for evaluation. Fecal samples were collected on 0-d and 82-d of the finishing period and microbial DNA was extracted and evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. During the feedlot trial, inefficient steers had decreased (<i>p</i> = 0.02) <i>Ruminococcaceae</i> populations and increased (<i>p</i> = 0.01) <i>Clostridiaceae</i> populations. Conversely, efficient steers had increased <i>Peptostreptococcaceae</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and <i>Turicibacteraceae</i> (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and a trend for decreased <i>Proteobacteria</i> abundance (<i>p</i> = 0.096). Efficient steers had increased microbial richness and diversity during the feedlot period, which likely resulted in increased fiber-degrading enzymes in their hindgut, allowing them to extract more energy from the feed. Results suggest that cattle with better feed efficiency have greater diversity of hindgut microorganisms, resulting in more enzymes available for digestion, and improving energy harvest in the gut of efficient cattle.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/6/1128feed efficiencyfeedlot-finishing phasefecal microbiotaAngus steers |
| spellingShingle | Jeferson M. Lourenco Christina B. Welch Taylor R. Krause Michael A. Wieczorek Francis L. Fluharty Michael J. Rothrock T. Dean Pringle Todd R. Callaway Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase Microorganisms feed efficiency feedlot-finishing phase fecal microbiota Angus steers |
| title | Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase |
| title_full | Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase |
| title_fullStr | Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase |
| title_short | Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies during the Feedlot-Finishing Phase |
| title_sort | fecal microbiome differences in angus steers with differing feed efficiencies during the feedlot finishing phase |
| topic | feed efficiency feedlot-finishing phase fecal microbiota Angus steers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/6/1128 |
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