Abstract
The nature of weaning, considered the most stressful and significant transition experienced by dairy calves, influences the ability of a calf to adapt to the dramatic dietary shift, and thus, can influence the severity of production losses through the weaning transition. However, the effects of various feeding strategies on the development of rumen or fecal microbiota across weaning are yet to be examined. Here we characterized the pre- and post-weaning ruminal and fecal microbiomes of Holstein dairy calves exposed to two different weaning strategies, gradual (step-down) or abrupt. We describe the shifts toward a mature ruminant state, a transition which is hastened by the introduction of the solid feeds initiating ruminal fermentation. Additionally, we discuss the predicted functional roles of these communities, which also appear to represent that of the mature gastrointestinal system prior to weaning, suggesting functional maturity. This assumed state of readiness also appeared to negate the effects of weaning strategy on ruminal and fecal microbiomes and therefore, we conclude that the shift in gastrointestinal microbiota may not account for the declines in gain and intakes observed in calves during an abrupt weaning.
Highlights
The ability of the ruminant forestomachs to convert fibrous feedstuff unsuitable for human consumption into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and microbial proteins that can be utilized by the host to produce high quality protein in milk is of increasing importance in today’s society
No effects of weaning strategy were observed on microbiota richness or diversity in the rumen or feces
The progressive development of a calf ’s ruminal and intestinal microbiomes begin at birth with the most significant change occurring at weaning
Summary
The ability of the ruminant forestomachs to convert fibrous feedstuff unsuitable for human consumption into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and microbial proteins that can be utilized by the host to produce high quality protein in milk is of increasing importance in today’s society. Dynamic balances exist between ruminal and intestinal microbiomes, host physiology and diet that directly influence the initial acquisition, developmental succession and eventual stability of the rumen and intestinal ecosystems (Jami et al, 2013). An increased understanding of the factors affecting ruminal and intestinal development are crucial in optimizing dairy cow health and production efficiency. A number of factors may Weaning Affects Ruminal and Fecal Microbiomes influence the process of gut microbial colonization in a calf including the cow’s vaginal microbiome and the proximity of the birth canal and the anus. Temporal shifts in the rumen microbiome with increasing age have been reported recently (Li et al, 2012; Jami et al, 2013; Rey et al, 2013), no study has characterized the stressful transition of the rumen microbiome from pseudomonogastric to mature ruminant post-weaning. The implications of the weaning transition on the intestinal microbiome are largely unknown
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