Abstract
Dietary crude protein concentration oscillation can improve the nitrogen utilization efficiency of ruminants. However, little is known about the dynamic changes in microbiota and fermentation in the rumen of calves during the oscillation period. In this study, six calves were fed an oscillating diet at 2-day intervals, including a high-protein diet (HP) and a low-protein diet (LP). The rumen fermentation parameters, plasma urea-N concentration, and rumen bacterial diversity were characterized throughout the oscillation period. The concentrations of volatile fatty acids, NH3-N, and plasma urea-N in rumen changed significantly with an oscillating diet. The abundance of Prevotella_1, Selenomonadales, Succiniclasticum, Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group showed significant changes with diet. Prevotella_1 was positively correlated, and Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group and Saccharofermentans were negatively correlated with NH3-N. The abundance of Amino Acid Metabolism, Metabolism of Other Amino Acids, and Glycan Biosynthesis and Metabolism pathways, annotated by bacterial functional genes, decreased when the diet changed from HP to LP. The abundance of the Carbohydrate Metabolism pathway increased after the two dietary changes. In conclusion, the plasma urea-N concentration was not as sensitive and quick to adapt to diet changes as the rumen fermentation parameters. Rumen bacteria were responsible for increasing the nitrogen utilization efficiency of calves fed an oscillating diet.
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.
