Microbiomes of Various Maternal Body Systems Are Predictive of Calf Digestive Bacterial Ecology.

Abstract

Simple SummaryComposition of the bacterial community in a newborn’s gut plays a role in their early development and immune system function. Understanding relationships between the bacterial communities of cows and their offspring can help identify which communities have a greater influence on bacterial community development. We examined bacteria at various sites of the cow at birth and bacteria in their calf’s gut throughout early life to understand their relationship. We found that bacteria in the cow’s reproductive tract, gut, and even milk all served as predictors for calf gut bacteria from birth up to 60 d old. Further exploration of these relationships as well as examining relationships of these bacterial communities with illness could help to prevent disease in calves.Body systems once thought sterile at birth instead have complex and sometimes abundant microbial ecosystems. However, relationships between dam and calf microbial ecosystems are still unclear. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the various maternal and calf microbiomes during peri-partum and post-partum periods and (2) examine the influence of the maternal microbiome on calf fecal microbiome composition during the pre-weaning phase. Multiparous Holstein cows were placed in individual, freshly bedded box stalls 14 d before expected calving. Caudal vaginal fluid samples were collected approximately 24 h before calving and dam fecal, oral, colostrum, and placenta samples were collected immediately after calving. Calf fecal samples were collected at birth (meconium) and 24 h, 7 d, 42 d, and 60 d of age. Amplicons covering V4 16S rDNA regions were generated using DNA extracted from all samples and were sequenced using 300 bp paired end Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Spearman rank correlations were performed between genera in maternal and calf fecal microbiomes. Negative binomial regression models were created for genera in calf fecal samples at each time point using genera in maternal microbiomes. We determined that Bacteroidetes dominated the calf fecal microbiome at all time points (relative abundance ≥42.55%) except for 24 h post-calving, whereas Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum (relative abundance = 85.10%). Maternal fecal, oral, placental, vaginal, and colostrum microbiomes were significant predictors of calf fecal microbiome throughout pre-weaning. Results indicate that calf fecal microbiome inoculation and development may be derived from various maternal sources. Maternal microbiomes could be used to predict calf microbiome development, but further research on the environmental and genetic influences is needed.