Abstract
Heat stress negatively affects lactation performance and rumen microbiota of dairy cows, with different breeds showing varying levels of heat tolerance. This study aimed to compare the lactation performance of Montbéliarde × Holstein (MH, n = 13) and Holstein (H, n = 13) cows under heat stress, and 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to determine the rumen microbiome and metabolome in experimental cows. The results indicated that during heat stress, milk yield (p = 0.101), milk fat yield, milk protein yield, milk protein, and milk lactose (p < 0.05) in Montbéliarde × Holstein cows were higher than those in Holstein cows, whereas milk yield variation and somatic cell counts (p < 0.05) were lower than those in Holstein cows. The sequencing results indicated that the rumen of Montbéliarde × Holstein cows was significantly enriched with beneficial bacteria, such as Rikenellaceae, Allobaculum, and YRC22 (p < 0.05). In addition, correlations were observed between specific ruminal bacteria and lactation performance. Ruminal metabolites related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Montbéliarde × Holstein cows than in Holstein cows. Overall, Montbéliarde × Holstein cows showed higher production efficiency under heat stress, which may be related to the different rumen mechanisms of crossbred and Holstein cows in adapting to heat stress.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
