Rumen Of Sheep Research Articles

Effect of electron irradiation on some physical, chemical and digestion properties of pistachio by-products

In the present study pistachio by-products (PB) were treated with various doses of electron irradiation (10–100 kGy). The results indicated that applied doses of electron irradiation had no effect on organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract content of PB. Irradiation increased (P < 0.01) total phenol content; while decreased cell wall compartment, tannin (P = 0.05) and condensed tannin (P = 0.03) contents. Irradiation decreased (P = 0.04) water binding capacity (WBC), but increased (P < 0.05) solubility of dry mater (DM), OM and protein of PB with increasing in irradiation dose. Electron irradiation effectively increased rapidly degradable fraction (a) and decreased potentially degradable fraction (b) of DM and OM of PB in the rumen of sheep compared to the control. The FTIR spectra of samples revealed similar pattern without any changes in the functional group status with a decrease in relative transmittance of peaks in irradiated groups. In conclusion, this study showed that electron irradiating can effectively change physical and chemical; and digestive properties of PB.

Co-abundance analysis reveals hidden players associated with high methane yield phenotype in sheep rumen microbiome

Rumen microbial environment hosts a variety of microorganisms that interact with each other to carry out the feed digestion and generation of several by-products especially methane, which plays an essential role in global warming as a greenhouse gas. However, due to its multi-factorial nature, the exact cause of methane production in the rumen has not yet been fully determined. The current study is an attempt to use system modeling to analyze the relationship between interacting components of rumen microbiome and its role in methane production. Metagenomic data of sheep rumen, with equal numbers of high methane yield (HMY) and low methane yield (LMY) samples, were used. As a well-known approach for the systematic comparative study of complex traits, the co-abundance networks were constructed in both operational taxonomic unit (OTU) and gene levels. A gene-catalog of 1,444 different rumen microbial strains was developed as a reference to measure gene abundances. The results from both types of co-abundance networks showed that methanogens, which are the main ruminal source for methanogenesis, need other microbial species to accomplish the task of methane production through producing the main precursor molecules like H2 and acetate for methanogenesis pathway as their byproducts. KEGG Orthology(KO) analysis of the current study shows that the metabolism and growth rate of methanogens will be increased due to the higher rate of the metabolism and carbohydrate/fiber digestion pathways in the hidden elements. This finding proposes that any ruminant methane yield alteration strategy should consider complex interactions of rumen microbiome components as one tightly integrated unit rather than several separate parts.

Spatio-seasonal variations in the faecal bacterial community of Zulu sheep grazing in communally managed rangeland

The adaptation of Zulu (Nguni) sheep (Ovis aries) to environmental stress and survival under extensive conditions makes them uniquely important to rural Nguni farmers of South Africa. Here, the faecal bacterial community of five Zulu sheep populations managed under extensive conditions across summer and winter seasons was investigated in order to understand the influence of prevailing seasonal factors. Bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs)/species (at 97% 16S rRNA gene similarity) in Zulu sheep faeces were more diverse in winter than in summer at most (80%) sites and varied between seasons at specific sites. Firmicutes was the most abundant phyla in both summer and winter seasons, while the relative abundance of Actinobacteria reduced in 80% of sites from summer to winter. The genera (or family) such as Akkermansia, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Intestinibacter, R-7 group (family Christensenellaceae), Ruminococcus, Ruminoclostridium, Treponema and UCG-005 (family Ruminococcaceae) were relatively more abundant and belonged to a ‘core microbiome’ of Zulu sheep faeces. Between seasons, Acinetobacter, Jeotgalicoccus, Methanobrevibacter, Phascolarctobacterium and Planomicrobium were differentially abundant. Overall, results suggest increased richness and diversity of bacteria from summer to winter which may be related to spatio-seasonal variations in grazing management, forage types and availability. This observation serves as baseline evidence, justifying further controlled studies investigating, amongst other factors, effects of forage type and availability across seasons on ruminal microbiota of Zulu sheep grazing in communally managed rangelands.&#x0D; Significance:&#x0D; &#x0D; Spatio-seasonal dynamics in the bacterial community of Zulu sheep faeces suggest differences in forage type and availability across sites potentially influence faecal bacteria of Zulu sheep.&#x0D; The study provides a basis for further controlled studies investigating the influence of environmental factors on rumen and faecal microbiomes of Zulu sheep.&#x0D; &#x0D; Open data set: &#x0D; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/?term=PRJNA356736

Diversity and Composition of Rumen Bacteria, Fungi, and Protozoa in Goats and Sheep Living in the Same High-Altitude Pasture.

Simple SummaryTibetan goats and sheep graze together but have different growth performances, immune responses, and feeding preferences in the Tibetan pasture. Rumen microbiota composed of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa are necessary for a healthy ruminant. Therefore, in this study, we comprehensively describe composition and diversity of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the high- altitude rumen. Compared with sheep, the bacteria that degrade crude protein and produce volatile fatty acids (VFA) were increased in the rumen of goats (Saccharofermentans and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014) (p < 0.05). In addition, when compared with goats, the fungi and protozoa that degrade fiber were increased in rumen of sheep (Neocallimastigaceae and Metadinium) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, VFA were significantly increased in the rumen of goats compared with sheep (p < 0.05). The VFA level was consistent with differences in the microbiota composition in the rumen between goats and sheep. Under mixed grazing conditions, goats tend to select a high-crude protein diet that is good for growth, whereas sheep tend to select a high-lignin diet that is difficult to digest. Therefore, the different microbiota in the rumen of goats and sheep may be explained by dietary preference.Environmental adaptation of ruminants was highly related to microbiota in the rumen. To investigate the diversity and composition of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the rumen of high-altitude animals, amplicon gene sequencing was performed using rumen fluid samples derived from both Tibetan goats and sheep at the same pasture in a highland (altitude > 4800 m). Between these two species, the ruminal bacteria and fungi were significantly different at multiple taxonomic levels. The alpha diversity of bacteria was significantly high in goats (p < 0.05). One hundred and sixty-four and 29 Operational Taxonomy Units (OTUs) with significant differences were detected in bacteria and fungi, respectively. The abundance of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the rumen was characterized at multiple taxonomic levels, and we determined that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Neocallimastigomycota, and Ciliophora were the most abundant bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The family Neocallimastigaceae and the genus Metadinium had cellulose degradation capacity in the rumen with high abundance, thereby, suggesting that fungi and protozoa played an essential role in rumen fermentation. In addition, by comparing microbiota in the rumen of goats and sheep it was found, that the fiber-degrading fungi genus (Cyllamyces) was increased in the rumen of sheep (p < 0.05) whereas VFA-producing bacteria (Saccharofermentans and Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014) were increased in the rumen of goats (p < 0.05). Interestingly, in the rumen, no differences in protozoa were observed between goats and sheep (p > 0.05). Furthermore, when compared to sheep, level of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) were significantly increased in the rumen of goats (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggested microbiota in the rumen drive goats to better adapt to high-altitude grazing conditions.

Effects of Dietary Non-Fibrous Carbohydrate (NFC) to Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) Ratio Change on Rumen Bacteria in Sheep Based on Three Generations of Full-Length Amplifiers Sequencing.

Simple SummaryRumen microbes play an important role in the health and production of ruminants, and they are influenced by dietary changes. In our study, we investigated the change of rumen bacteria under the four treatments of dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) to neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratios in sheep using three generations of full-length amplifiers sequencing. As rumen is a complex organ, and the effects of dietary NFC/NDF ratio change on ruminal bacteria might change over time, thus the study was conducted for four periods of 72 d in total. The results showed that the composition of rumen bacteria changed with different dietary NFC/NDF ratio during the experimental periods. Rumen bacterial diversity was decreased in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.90 with the prolong of experimental periods. The main dominant phyla in Karakul sheep rumen didn’t change, while their relative abundance changed with dietary NFC/NDF ratio and experimental periods. The relative abundance of unidentified-Lachnospiraceae and main cellulose-degrading bacteria was higher in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups (NFC/NDF ratio of 0.54, 0.96 and 1.90).The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary NFC/NDF ratio change on rumen bacteria in sheep. Twelve Karakul sheep were assigned randomly into four groups fed with four dietary NFC/NDF ratios of 0.54, 0.96, 1.37, and 1.90 and they were assigned into groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The experiment was divided into four periods: I (1–18 d), II (19–36 d), III (37–54 d), and IV (55–72 d). In each period, the first 15 d were used for adaption, and then rumen fluid was collected for 3 d from each sheep before morning feeding. The fluid was analyzed with three generations of full-length amplifiers sequencing. Results showed that the bacterial diversity of group 4 was decreased in period III and IV. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes (37–60%) and Firmicutes (26–51%) were the most dominant bacteria over the four periods. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes, and Spirochaete changed with dietary NFC/NDF ratio change over the four periods, but there was no difference among groups over the four periods (p > 0.05). At the genus level, unidentified-Lachnospiraceae was the dominant genus, and its relative abundance in group 3 was high during the period I and III (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Mycoplasma in group 4 was high in the period I and II (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Succiniclasticum was high in group 2 of period II (p < 0.05). At the species level, the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio-fibrisolvens was found to be high in group 3 during periods I and III (p < 0.05). The main semi-cellulose-degrading bacteria and starch-degrading bacteria were low, and there was no significant difference among groups over four periods (p > 0.05). Taken together, the dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.90 decreased the diversity of bacteria as a period changed from I to IV. While the main phylum bacteria didn’t change, their relative abundance changed with the dietary NFC/NDF ratio change over the four periods. The most prevalent genus was unidentified-Lachnospiraceae, and its relative abundance was higher in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups. Similarly, the main cellulose-degrading species was higher in the treatment of dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups.

Effects of humic substances with urea on protozoal population and fermentation in the rumen of sheep

The aim was to investigate the effects of humic substances (HS) combined with urea, on pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acids (∑VFA), protozoal population, amylolytic and cellulolytic activities in rumen fluid (RF) of 12 female crossbred merino sheep (n = 6 in experimental EG and control CG groups). The basic daily ration consisted of 1.25 kg grass hay, 0.25 kg cereal grains – equally wheat and barley (daily intake of crude protein 113.45 g, crude fibre 394.19 g, crude fat 17.27 g and ash 71.85 g) and 10 g urea. HS were applied at 20 g.day-1 per animal in EG on day 2–18. Increased protozoal cells (P&lt;0.05) of Entodinium spp. by 243.19, of Diplodinium spp. by 5.11 and of Ophryoscolex spp. by 2.06 103.mL-1 were observed in EG on day 3. The effects on the amylolytic and cellulolytic activities as well as pH values were not significant. Ammonia was higher (P&lt;0.05) in EG by 5.78 at 3 h and by 12.75 at 6 h on day 2, by 10.62 at 9 h on day 3, and by 7.84 mg.100 mL-1 at 6 h on day 4 after feeding. ∑VFA were increased (P&lt;0.05) by 3.89 mmol.L-1 at 3 h on day 18 after feeding. The feed intake of HS combined with urea had significantly positive effects on the course of ammonia and protozoal population in RF.

Nutritive value and ruminal degradation of seven Chinese herbs as forage for Tan sheep

ABSTRACT Tan sheep is an indigenous ovine breed of China known for its high meat quality and pleasing taste. Seven herbs of traditional Chinese medicine, namely, Ephedra sinica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Caragana korshinskii, Allium mongolicum, Thymus vulgaris, Astragalus membranaceus, and Lespedeza bicolor are commonly grazed by Tan sheep. It has been widely believed that these herbs are of high nutritive value, which may significantly contribute to the high meat quality and distinct flavor of Tan sheep. However, the nutritive values of these herbs have not been evaluated to date. In this study, samples of the seven herbs were collected from the steppe of Yanchi County of Ningxia Autonomous Region of China. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash (Ash), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of these herbs were measured using locally cultivated alfalfa as the standard forage. Digestion of the dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein in the rumen of Tan sheep was examined using the nylon bag method, in order to evaluate their feeding nutritional value. Our results show that all the seven herbs meet the nutritional needs of ruminants based on the standard forage alfalfa. However, Ephedra, Glycyrrhiza, Caragana, Allium, Astragalus, and Lespedeza have higher nutritive value than Thymus (P < 0.05). According to the ruminal degradation rates of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein, the nutritive value of Caragana, Allium, and Lespedeza is higher than that of Ephedra, Glycyrrhiza, Astragalus, and Thymus (P < 0.05). The overall nutritive value of Allium is the highest among the seven herbs and therefore Allium is recommended to better meet the nutritional needs of Tan sheep.

Sheep fermentation in sheep in case of feeding of different quality corn silage

The results of studies on the effect of corn silage conditions and degree of grinding on its quality, eatability and digestion in the body of sheep are presented in the article. &#x0D; Studies show that the rates of scar fermentation of sheep depend on the level of grinding corn on silage fed to the animals. The proteolytic activity of sheep microorganisms in both balance experiments was at the level of 2.28 ± 0.32 to 2.34 ± 0.18 units.&#x0D; The cellulosolytic activity of the microorganisms of the contained rumen in sheep during the first balance experiment was found to be significant - 11.98 ± 0.42 - 12.12 ± 0.38% and did not differ from that activity in sheep during the second balance experiment - 12.02 ± 0 , 66 - 12.56 ± 0.44%.&#x0D; Feeding the silage from corn in the stage of milky-waxy ripeness of the sheep in the experimental period had a positive effect on the activity of the microorganisms of the rumen.&#x0D; The amylolytic activity of rumen microorganisms in the animals of the first group (silo with a grinding value of 0.4 - 1.0 cm) was 0.92 ± 0.06 conventional amylolytic units. In sheep of the second group (silo with a value of grinding 1,0 - 2,0 cm) this indicator was 1,26 times (p &lt;0,01), and of the third group (silo with a value of grinding 2,0 - 3,0 cm) in 1.07 times higher than in animals of the first group. Feeding experimental animals silage from corn waxy ripeness of the grain also contributed to the increased activity of the microorganisms of the rumen.&#x0D; Amylolytic activity in sheep of the second experimental group was 0.90 ± 0.08 conventional am. units, which is 1.17 times less than this indicator of the animals of the second group and was 4.65% more than in the animals of the third group. At the same time, the proteolytic activity of the rumen microorganisms in the animals of the second group was 1.09 times less than in the animals of the second group during the first balance experiment, which indicates the physiology of the silage obtained from corn milky-waxy ripeness of the grain. So, the amylolytic activity of sheep microorganisms at the end of the equilibrium period of the first balance experiment ranged from 0.82 ± 0.04 to 0.85 ± 0.06 conventional am. units, and during the second balance experiment from 0.80 ± 0.06 to 0.84 ± 0.04 conditional am. units&#x0D; The level of total nitrogen in the contained scar of animals during the first balance experiment was 1.08, 1.18, 1.11 times higher (p &lt;0.05) than in animals fed a silage of corn in the waxy stage grain.&#x0D; Indicators of carbohydrate-lipid metabolism in the body of sheep during the first balance experiment indicate the efficiency of feeding silage from maize to animals in the stage of milky-waxy ripeness of grain, which is accompanied by activation of synthesis of volatile fatty acids in the rumen by 1.38 times (p &lt;0.01) that was 1.12 times (p &lt;0.05).

Sheep Rumen Fermentation Characteristics Affected by Feeding Frequency and Feeding Level When Fed Fresh Forage.

Simple SummaryRuminant production relies on nutrients obtained from feed fermentation in the rumen. In grazing ruminant production systems, fresh forage is the major or sole source of feed. Feeding frequency and feeding level are two important factors affecting rumen fermentation. This study investigated how these factors affect the fermentation of fresh forage in the rumen for in-depth evaluation of the nutritional value of two types of forages and for better understanding of their digestion by ruminants. To achieve the objectives of the study, fresh chicory or perennial ryegrass was fed to sheep hourly or twice-daily at low or high feeding levels. The results indicated that rumen fermentation was affected by forage species, feeding frequency, feeding level and their interactions and the differences in rumen fermentation were more apparent when feeding was performed hourly rather than twice-daily. This study highlighted the importance of feeding frequency on manipulating sheep ruminal metabolism when fed fresh forage.Feeding frequency and feeding level are two important factors affecting rumen fermentation characteristics, but few studies on these have been conducted on fresh forage. Eight rumen-fistulated sheep were fed either fresh chicory or perennial ryegrass hourly in the first period (d 14 to 21) of the experiment and twice-daily in the second period (d 22 to 27) at 1.3 or 2.2 times the requirement of metabolizable energy for maintenance. When fed hourly, but not twice-daily, rumen fluid pH value was affected by forage species and feeding level. The total concentrations of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) were similar at both feeding levels when fed chicory hourly, but they were greater at the higher feeding level in comparison with the lower feeding level when fed perennial ryegrass. However, forage species and feeding level did not affect rumen fluid total SCFA concentration when sheep were fed twice-daily. Therefore, rumen fermentation characteristics were affected by forage species, feeding frequency, feeding level and their interactions and the differences in fermentation characteristics were more apparent when feeding was performed hourly rather than twice-daily. This study highlighted the importance of feeding frequency on manipulating sheep ruminal metabolism when fed fresh forage.

Occurrence and expression of genes encoding methyl-compound production in rumen bacteria

BackgroundDigestive processes in the rumen lead to the release of methyl-compounds, mainly methanol and methylamines, which are used by methyltrophic methanogens to form methane, an important agricultural greenhouse gas. Methylamines are produced from plant phosphatidylcholine degradation, by choline trimethylamine lyase, while methanol comes from demethoxylation of dietary pectins via pectin methylesterase activity. We have screened rumen metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets, metagenome assembled genomes, and the Hungate1000 genomes to identify organisms capable of producing methyl-compounds. We also describe the enrichment of pectin-degrading and methane-forming microbes from sheep rumen contents and the analysis of their genomes via metagenomic assembly.ResultsScreens of metagenomic data using the protein domains of choline trimethylamine lyase (CutC), and activator protein (CutD) found good matches only to Olsenella umbonata and to Caecibacter, while the Hungate1000 genomes and metagenome assembled genomes from the cattle rumen found bacteria within the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The cutC and cutD genes clustered with genes that encode structural components of bacterial microcompartment proteins. Prevotella was the dominant genus encoding pectin methyl esterases, with smaller numbers of sequences identified from other fibre-degrading rumen bacteria. Some large pectin methyl esterases (> 2100 aa) were found to be encoded in Butyrivibrio genomes. The pectin-utilising, methane-producing consortium was composed of (i) a putative pectin-degrading bacterium (phylum Tenericutes, class Mollicutes), (ii) a galacturonate-using Sphaerochaeta sp. predicted to produce acetate, lactate, and ethanol, and (iii) a methylotrophic methanogen, Methanosphaera sp., with the ability to form methane via a primary ethanol-dependent, hydrogen-independent, methanogenesis pathway.ConclusionsThe main bacteria that produce methyl-compounds have been identified in ruminants. Their enzymatic activities can now be targeted with the aim of finding ways to reduce the supply of methyl-compound substrates to methanogens, and thereby limit methylotrophic methanogenesis in the rumen.

Analysis of cellulolytic bacterial flora in the rumen of inner Mongolian sheep

The cellulolytic bacterial flora present in the rumen of Inner Mongolian sheep are thought to have a high degree of cellulose-degrading activity because of their foraging feeding regimen. However, there are no report on the genetic and species composition of the cellulolytic bacterial flora. In this study, cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from the rumen of Inner Mongolian sheep using a combined method of transparent zone and filter paper degradation. Twenty-two strains were identified via morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. Ten strains were further identified via DNA (G + C) mol%, together with 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis. Four types of extracellular and total cellulase activities of representative strains were determined. The results demonstrated that the isolates included Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Rumincoccus albus, R. flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Clostridium polysaccharolyticum. A big proportion of cellulolytic Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was found in the rumen of Inner Mongolian sheep. This was the first study to analyze the cellulolytic bacterial flora in the rumen of foraging Inner Mongolian sheep. These results indicated that the rumen of Inner Mongolian sheep represents an attractive source for cellulolytic microorganisms and enzymes, and the research results have a certain guiding importance for the efficient degradation of cellulosic materials.

Isolation and Characterization of Potential Cellulose Degrading Bacteria from Sheep Rumen

Isolation and Characterization of Potential Cellulose Degrading Bacteria from Sheep Rumen

Physico-chemical, mechanical and histological characteristics on rumen and reticulum of sheep submitted to different techniques of retanning

The objective was to evaluate the physicochemical, mechanical and histological characteristics on rumen and reticulum of sheep submitted to different retanning techniques. Twenty rumens and reticulum were tanned with chrome and retanned with different tannins (Treatment1 = chrome; Treatment2 = vegetable; Treatment3 = synthetic and Treatment4 = vegetable + synthetic). Tanned samples of rumens and reticulum were extracted to evaluate the arrangement of fibers, and submitted for determination of chrome oxide, substances extractable with dichloromethane, pH value and difference figure of aqueous extract. Thickness, traction resistance, elongation and progressive tearing were measured. Retanning with chrome provided greater traction resistance (3.47 N mm-2), elongation (92.76%) and progressive tearing (28.81 N mm-1). Retanning with synthetic tannins showed less traction resistance (2.68 N mm-2) and increased thickness (1.25 mm). The rumen presented better results for tensile strength and progressive tearing. Elasticity results did not differ for both rumen and reticulum. Both rumen and reticulum retanned with chrome salts showed higher levels of chrome oxide and substances extractable by Dichloromethane (34.2%). Therefore, the best results were obtained for rumen retanned with chrome salts.

Effects of glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2 and epidermal growth factor on the epithelial barrier of the rumen of adult sheep.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and glucagon-like peptides (GLP) modulate the tight junctions (TJ) of the intestinal epithelial barrier (EB) of monogastric animals. This work tried to elucidate whether GLP-1, GLP-2 and EGF can affect the EB of the rumen. Ovine ruminal epithelia were incubated in Ussing chambers for 7hr with 25 or 250nM of either GLP-1 or GLP-2 on the serosal side, with 2.5nM of EGF on the serosal side or with 0.25 or 2.5nM EGF on the mucosal side. No treatment affected tissue conductance. Short-circuit current (Isc ) was affected by time and treatment and their interactions. Only 250nM of either GLP-1 or GLP-2 decreased Isc in certain periods compared with 25nM GLP-1 or 0.25nM mucosally applied EGF; however, not when compared to control epithelia. Fluorescein flux rates (Jfluor ) of ruminal epithelia were affected by treatment, time and time×treatment interaction. The time×treatment interaction was based on an increase in Jfluor between the first and last hour in epithelia incubated with 25nM GLP-1 or GLP-2 and in epithelia incubated with EGF. After 7hr incubation, claudin-7 mRNA expression was downregulated in all treatments. Claudin-1 mRNA was upregulated after incubation with 2.5nM EGF on the serosal side, claudin-4 mRNA was downregulated by 2.5nM EGF on the mucosal side, and occludin mRNA was increased after incubation with 250nM GLP-2. The protein abundance of all tested TJ proteins was not influenced by treatment. We conclude that GLP-1, GLP-2, and EGF have no obvious acute effects on the EB of ruminal epithelia under simulated physiological conditions ex vivo. However, by decreasing the mRNA expression of claudin-7 and partly affecting other TJ proteins, they may modulate EB in the longer term or under certain conditions.

Dietary Bioactive Lipid Compounds Rich in Menthol Alter Interactions Among Members of Ruminal Microbiota in Sheep.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of two practically relevant doses of menthol-rich plant bioactive lipid compounds (PBLC) on fermentation, microbial community composition, and their interactions in sheep rumen. Twenty-four growing Suffolk sheep were divided into three treatments and were fed hay ad libitum plus 600 g/d of concentrate containing no PBLC (Control) or PBLC at low dose (80 mg/d; PBLC-L) or high dose (160 mg/d; PBLC-H). After 4 weeks on the diets, samples of ruminal digesta were collected and analyzed for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), ammonia, and microbiota; microbiota being analyzed in the solid and the liquid digesta fractions separately. Ruminal SCFA and ammonia concentrations were not affected by the PBLC treatments. The microbiota in the solid fraction was more diverse than that in the liquid fraction, and the relative abundance of most taxa differed between these two fractions. In the solid fraction, phylogenetic diversity increased linearly with increased PBLC doses, whereas evenness (lowest in PBLC-L) and Simpson diversity index (greatest in PBLC-H) changed quadratically. In the liquid fraction, however, the PBLC supplementation did not affect any of the microbial diversity measurements. Among phyla, Chloroflexi (highest in PBLC-L) and unclassified_bacteria (lowest in PBLC-L) were altered quadratically by PBLC. Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae (increased linearly), BS11 (increased in PBLC-L), Christensenellaceae (decreased in PBLC treatments), and Porphyromonadaceae (increased in PBLC treatments) were affected at the family level. Among genera, Butyrivibrio increased linearly in the solid fraction, YRC22 increased linearly in the liquid fraction, whereas Paludibacter increased and BF311 increased linearly with increasing doses of PBLC in both fractions. The PBLC treatments also lowered methanogens within the classes Thermoplasmata and Euryarchaeota. Correlation network analysis revealed positive and negative correlations among many microbial taxa. Differential network analysis showed that PBLC supplementation changed the correlation between some microbial taxa and SCFA. The majority of the predicted functional features were different between the solid and the liquid digesta fractions, whereas the PBLC treatments altered few of the predicted functional gene categories. Overall, dietary PBLC treatments had little influence on the ruminal fermentation and microbiota but affected the associations among some microbial taxa and SCFA.

Bio Correction of Enzymatic and Microbial Processes in Rumen and Intermediary Metabolism in Sheep with the Use of Antioxidant and Organic Iodine Dietary Supplements

Dihydroquercetin, the antioxidant added to the sheep diet either alone or in combination with organic iodine had a significant effect on the rumen enzymatic and microbiological processes, the intermediary metabolism, and the sheep’s resistance. Under the effect of dihydroquercetin in combination with the organic iodine, insignificant increases in the chyme’s pH, the advanced oxidation processes, the elevated level of ammonia, and the greater number of microorganisms in the rumen were recorded generally due to infuzoria. In case of adding dihydroquercetin alone, the chyme’s pH normalized, its oxidation lowered, the reduction processes intensified, and the microorganism number increased due to infuzoria and bacteria. Some decreases in the chyme concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia were simultaneously observed. The feed additives had a significant impact on the rumen microbiota. Under the effect of dihydroquercetin in combination with the organic iodine, the numbers of lactobacilli and mesophilic aerobic and facultatively anaerobic microorganisms (MAFAnM) in the rumen content increased tenfold and fourfold, respectively, while the rumen lactose-positive strains and fungal species, including the fungi of the genus Candida, the molds, and the yeasts, decreased by 98.9 and 65.3%, respectively. In case of adding dihydroquercetin alone, the numbers of lactobacilli and MAFAnM increased 11.5-fold and 21-fold, respectively, while the lactose-positive strains decreased by 92.2%. The numbers of fungal species, including fungi, molds, and yeasts, increased 2.2-fold. Under the effect of dihydroquercetin in combination with the organic iodine, the serum globulin concentrations increased, while the levels of triglycerides and bilirubin and the ALT and AST activities lowered in the sheep blood. In case of adding dihydroquercetin alone, the increases in serum albumin concentration, together with the globulin concentrations, were recorded. Therefore, the albumin-globulin ratio comprised 0.99. The levels of triglycerides and bilirubin and the ALT and AST activities also lowered. Dihydroquercetin in combination with the organic iodine and alone lowered the white blood cell count by 22.7 and 27.1%, respectively, increased the red blood cell count by 13.9 and 16.5%, respectively, and elevated the hematocrit level, indicating the sheep’s health improvements.

Diverse hydrogen production and consumption pathways influence methane production in ruminants

Farmed ruminants are the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions globally. The methanogenic archaea responsible for these emissions use molecular hydrogen (H2), produced during bacterial and eukaryotic carbohydrate fermentation, as their primary energy source. In this work, we used comparative genomic, metatranscriptomic and co-culture-based approaches to gain a system-wide understanding of the organisms and pathways responsible for ruminal H2 metabolism. Two-thirds of sequenced rumen bacterial and archaeal genomes encode enzymes that catalyse H2 production or consumption, including 26 distinct hydrogenase subgroups. Metatranscriptomic analysis confirmed that these hydrogenases are differentially expressed in sheep rumen. Electron-bifurcating [FeFe]-hydrogenases from carbohydrate-fermenting Clostridia (e.g., Ruminococcus) accounted for half of all hydrogenase transcripts. Various H2 uptake pathways were also expressed, including methanogenesis (Methanobrevibacter), fumarate and nitrite reduction (Selenomonas), and acetogenesis (Blautia). Whereas methanogenesis-related transcripts predominated in high methane yield sheep, alternative uptake pathways were significantly upregulated in low methane yield sheep. Complementing these findings, we observed significant differential expression and activity of the hydrogenases of the hydrogenogenic cellulose fermenter Ruminococcus albus and the hydrogenotrophic fumarate reducer Wolinella succinogenes in co-culture compared with pure culture. We conclude that H2 metabolism is a more complex and widespread trait among rumen microorganisms than previously recognised. There is evidence that alternative hydrogenotrophs, including acetogenic and respiratory bacteria, can prosper in the rumen and effectively compete with methanogens for H2. These findings may help to inform ongoing strategies to mitigate methane emissions by increasing flux through alternative H2 uptake pathways, including through animal selection, dietary supplementation and methanogenesis inhibitors.

Increased cortisol reactivity predicts cognitive impairment not dementia during aging: a follow-up study

In the present study pistachio by-products (PB) were treated with various doses of electron irradiation (10–100 kGy). The results indicated that applied doses of electron irradiation had no effect on organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract content of PB. Irradiation increased (P < 0.01) total phenol content; while decreased cell wall compartment, tannin (P = 0.05) and condensed tannin (P = 0.03) contents. Irradiation decreased (P = 0.04) water binding capacity (WBC), but increased (P < 0.05) solubility of dry mater (DM), OM and protein of PB with increasing in irradiation dose. Electron irradiation effectively increased rapidly degradable fraction (a) and decreased potentially degradable fraction (b) of DM and OM of PB in the rumen of sheep compared to the control. The FTIR spectra of samples revealed similar pattern without any changes in the functional group status with a decrease in relative transmittance of peaks in irradiated groups. In conclusion, this study showed that electron irradiating can effectively change physical and chemical; and digestive properties of PB.

Anthelmintic efficacy of ethanol extract of Nigella Sativa on lactate dehdrogenase of Cotylophoron Cotylophorum

Paramphistomosis is a major disease caused by stomach flukes. The Paramphistome Cotylophoron Cotylophorum lives in rumen and reticulum of sheep, goats and other domestic ruminants. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the anthelmintic effect of Ethanol extract of Nigella sativa on the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of C. Cotylophorum in vitro. The parasites were maintained in vitro in Hedon-Fleig solution (pH 7.0) which is the best medium for their survival. Parasites were exposed to five different sub-lethal concentration of ethanol extract of Nigella sativa (NsEE) for 2, 4 and 8h. LDH and Protein content in the sample was estimated following standard procedures. The inhibition of LDH catalyzing oxidation of lactate results in the reduced production of malate, which subsequently results in the reduced production of ATP. Decreased production of ATP results in the death of parasites. The present investigation amply demonstrated that N. sativa could be used as a potential phytotherapeutic drug to combat paramphistome infection in livestock.

Temporal fermentation and microbial community dynamics in rumens of sheep grazing a ryegrass-based pasture offered either in the morning or in the afternoon

Eight ruminally-fistulated wethers were used to examine the temporal effects of afternoon (PM; 1600h) v. morning (AM; 0800 h) allocation of fresh spring herbage from a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-based pasture on fermentation and microbial community dynamics. Herbage chemical composition was minimally affected by time of allocation, but daily mean ammonia concentrations were greater for the PM group. The 24-h pattern of ruminal fermentation (i.e. time of sampling relative to time of allocation), however, varied considerably for all fermentation variables (P⩽0.001). Most notably amongst ruminal fermentation characteristics, ammonia concentrations showed a substantial temporal variation; concentrations of ammonia were 1.7-, 2.0- and 2.2-fold greater in rumens of PM wethers at 4, 6 and 8h after allocation, respectively, compared with AM wethers. The relative abundances of archaeal and ciliate protozoal taxa were similar across allocation groups. In contrast, the relative abundances of members of the rumen bacterial community, like Prevotella 1 (P=0.04), Bacteroidales RF16 group (P=0.005) and Fibrobacter spp. (P=0.008) were greater for the AM group, whereas the relative abundance of Kandleria spp. was greater (P=0.04) for the PM group. Of these taxa, only Prevotella 1 (P=0.04) and Kandleria (P<0.001) showed a significant interaction between time of allocation and time of sampling relative to feed allocation. Relative abundances of Prevotella 1 were greater at 2h (P=0.05), 4h (P=0.003) and 6h (P=0.01) after AM allocation of new herbage, whereas relative abundances of Kandleria were greater at 2h (P=0.003) and 4h (P<0.001) after PM allocation. The early post-allocation rise in ammonia concentrations in PM rumens occurred simultaneously with sharp increases in the relative abundance of Kandleria spp. and with a decline in the relative abundance of Prevotella. All measures of fermentation and most microbial community composition data showed highly dynamic changes in concentrations and genus abundances, respectively, with substantial temporal changes occurring within the first 8h of allocating a new strip of herbage. The dynamic changes in the relative abundances of certain bacterial groups, in synchrony with a substantial diurnal variation in ammonia concentrations, has potential effects on the efficiency by which N is utilised by the grazing ruminant.