Abstract
The mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic microorganisms that reside in the rumen and lower gastrointestinal tract of cattle and other ruminants exert enormous influence over animal physiology and performance. Because these microbial communities are critical for host nutrient utilization and contribute to the metabolic capacity of the rumen, past research has aimed to define host-microbe symbioses in cattle by examining the rumen and lower gut microbiomes with respect to production phenotypes, such as feed efficiency. However, as the field of bovine gut microbial ecology progresses, multidisciplinary approaches must be employed, combining host genomics and other omics-based techniques to understand the complex host-microbe network. In this perspective, I discuss the direction of the field of bovine gut microbial ecology with regard to feed efficiency and explore how the grand challenge of such research will be to maintain host-efficient gut microbiomes in cattle production through manipulations of genome-microbiome interactions.
Highlights
The mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic microorganisms that reside in the rumen and lower gastrointestinal tract of cattle and other ruminants exert enormous influence over animal physiology and performance
Several of the first studies to examine the relationship between the gut microbiome and beef cattle feed efficiency were initially conducted as part of the USDA-NIFA National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
Perspective results were based on a feed efficiency metric taking into account the greatest deviation of average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) within each Cartesian quadrant (3)
Summary
The mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic microorganisms that reside in the rumen and lower gastrointestinal tract of cattle and other ruminants exert enormous influence over animal physiology and performance. In beef cattle, producing more protein via increased weight gain has relied traditionally on nutritional and genetic selection strategies. The nutritional status of beef cattle and other ruminants is influenced by many factors, including diet, animal management, host genetics, and the diverse symbiotic microbiota colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.
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