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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with different types of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) on lactational performance, metabolism, acute phase protein response, and antioxidant capacity in dairy cows from −21 to 56 DIM. A total of 180 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were blocked by parity, expected calving date, pre-trial BCS, and previous 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield, and then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: the basal control diet (CON; n = 60), the basal diet supplemented with 40 g/d of XPC (XPC; n = 60; Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA), and the basal diet supplemented with 19 g/d of NutriTek (NTK; n = 60, Diamond V). Blood (n = 15, 13, and 12 in the CON, XPC, and NTK groups, respectively) was sampled at −7 (± 3), +3, +7, +21, and +28 d, and milk (n = 19, 18, and 15 in the CON, XPC, and NTK groups, respectively) was sampled from 1 to 8 wk from a subset of cows from −21 to 56 d relative to calving. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). All data were subjected to repeated measures ANOVA. Dietary treatment (Trt), time, and their interaction (Trt × time) were considered as fixed effects and cow as the random effect. Cows fed XPC and NTK had greater ECM yield. Supplementing NTK increased milk fat content and yield and 3.5% FCM yield compared with CON. Milk urea nitrogen was lower in XPC cows than CON. We found that SCFP supplementation decreased plasma BHB, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin (HPT), and IL-1β concentrations, and it increased plasma P concentrations. In addition, cows fed NTK showed lower creatinine (CR) and cortisol concentrations but increased plasma Ca and myeloperoxidase concentrations than CON cows. In addition, cows fed NTK and XPC both had reduced plasma concentrations of serum amyloid-A (SAA) at 3 DIM compared with CON cows. Furthermore, SCFP cows had greater concentrations of plasma glucose and Ca than CON cows at 7 DIM, and greater concentrations of plasma P at 21 DIM. Between the groups fed different types of SCFP, plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, malondialdehyde, CR, SAA, and HPT were lower in cows fed NTK compared with cows fed XPC at 7 DIM. Overall, our results indicate the potential benefits of supplementing SCFP in transition dairy cows by modulating immunity and liver metabolic function and supporting ECM yield. The results also suggest that NutriTek at 19 g/d appears to support the performance and health of dairy cows better compared with XPC at 40 g/d, based on improved metabolic and inflammatory status during the transition period.

Calf diarrhea causes huge economic losses to livestock due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Alkaline mineral complex water is an alkaline solution containing silicon, sodium, potassium, zinc, and germanium, and has biological benefits and therapeutic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of alkaline mineral complex water supplementation on the health of calves and to investigate the effect of Alkaline mineral complex water supplementation on neonatal calf serum variables and the liver transcriptome. Sixty Holstein calves (age 1.88 ± 0.85 days, weight 36.63 ± 3.34 kg) were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the T group (treatment group with alkaline mineral complex water supplemented during the experiment) and C group (control group without alkaline mineral complex water supplementation). Alkaline mineral complex water supplementation significantly increased the body weight for calves aged 60 d and average daily gain during the experimental period (1–60 d). In addition, Alkaline mineral complex water supplementation could significantly decrease the diarrhea rate for calves aged 16–30 d, enhance the T-AOC, IgG, IGF-1, and IGFBP-2 in concentrations. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis in transcriptomics indicate that Alkaline mineral complex water supplementation inhibited the target IL-1B gene of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway of liver. Alkaline mineral complex water supplementation decreased calf diarrhea and improved partial immune function, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant capacity, and health of calves. Alkaline mineral complex is a candidate to replace medicated feed additives. Alkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex waterAlkaline mineral complex water.

Yak (Bos grunniens) is an important economic animal species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Yaks grazed in the cold season often suffer from nutritional stress, resulting in low production performance. This situation can be improved by properly feeding the grazing yaks in the cold season; however, there is still little information about the effect of different feeding levels on the intestinal microflora and metabolites of yaks. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of feeding different doses of concentrate supplements on rumen bacterial communities and metabolites in grazing yaks during the cold season. Feed concentrate supplementation significantly improved the production performance and rumen fermentation status of grazing yaks during the cold season, and switched the type of ruminal fermentation from acetic acid fermentation to propionic acid fermentation. Ruminal fermentation parameters and ruminal bacterial abundance correlated strongly. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes increased with increasing concentrate supplementation, while the opposite was true for Bacteroidota. At the genus level, the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, NK4A214_group, Ruminococcus, norank_f__Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, norank_f__norank_o__ Clostridia_UCG-014, Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, Acetitomaculum, and Family_XIII_AD3011_group increased with increasing concentrate supplementation, while the abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_ group decreased. Dietary concentrate supplementation altered the concentration and metabolic mode of metabolites in the rumen, significantly affecting the concentration of metabolites involved in amino acid and derivative metabolism (e.g., L-aspartic acid, L-glutamate, and L-histidine), purine metabolism (e.g., guanine, guanosine, and hypoxanthine), and glycerophospholipid metabolism (e.g., phosphatidate, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphocholine), and other metabolic pathways. The strong correlation between yak rumen microorganisms and metabolites provided a more comprehensive understanding of microbial community composition and function. This study showed significant changes in the composition and abundance of bacteria and metabolites in the rumen of cool season grazing yaks fed with concentrate supplements. Changes in ruminal fermentation parameters and metabolite concentration also showed a strong correlation with ruminal bacterial communities. These findings will be helpful to formulate supplementary feeding strategies for grazing yaks in the cold season from the perspective of intestinal microorganisms.

Alkaline mineral complex buffer can improve rumen fermentation and affect the rumen microbiota of dairy cows. Here, we studied the effects of alkaline mineral complex buffer on serum immunity indexes, rumen fermentation and the microbiota of newborn calves. We also investigated changes in the rumen epithelial transcriptome expression profile. Compared with the control group, at 15 d, the serum contents of TP and GLB in the treatment group increased significantly (p < 0.05). At 30 d, the serum contents of GLB in the treatment group increased significantly (p < 0.05). At 45 d, the serum contents of IgG in the treatment group increased significantly (p < 0.05). At 60 d, the serum contents of TP and IgG in the treatment group increased significantly (p < 0.05). Rumen pH in the treatment groups was significantly increased at different days of age (p < 0.05). The microbial community composition in the rumen was determined using bacterial and archaeal 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon-sequencing. Analysis of bacterial composition in the rumen showed that there was no significant difference in bacterial diversity (p > 0.05). At the phylum level, Firmicutes were significantly decreased and Bacteroidetes were significantly increased in the treatment group at 30 d (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Prevotella_1, Olsenella, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group were significantly increased, and Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Ruminococcus_2 were significantly decreased in the treatment group at 30 d (p < 0.05). Christensenellaceae_R-7_group was significantly increased in the treatment group (p < 0.05) at 45 d. Prevotella_9 was significantly decreased, and Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group were significantly increased in the treatment group at 60 d (p < 0.05). RNA sequence analysis of the rumen epithelium showed that 232 differentially expressed genes were screened, of which 158 were upregulated and 74 were downregulated. The main enrichment pathway was related to immune regulation. In conclusion, alkaline mineral complex buffer can enhance the body’s immune response, regulate rumen fermentation by regulating the abundance of rumen microbiota and upregulate immune-related genes in rumen tissues to promote immune regulation. The results of this study provide a reference for the early nutritional regulation of newborn calves with an alkaline mineral complex buffer.

Ruminal microflora is closely correlated with the ruminant’s diet. However, information regarding the effect of high concentrate diets on rumen microflora in yaks is lacking. In the current study, 24 healthy male yaks were randomly assigned to two groups, each fed with different diets: less concentrate (LC; concentrate: coarse = 40: 60) and high concentrate (HC; concentrate: coarse = 80: 20) diets. Subsequently, a 21-day feeding trial was performed with the yaks, and rumen fluid samples were collected and compared using 16 s rRNA sequencing. The results showed that NH3-N, total VFA, acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate were significantly higher in the HC group than that in the LC group (p

The present study investigates the effect of 50 mL AMCB taken daily as a dietary supplement on the rumen fermentation, microbiota, and production performance of 40 Holstein dairy cows in the transition period with 2.76 ± 0.48 parity and 650 ± 25 kg body weight. AMCB supplementation stabilized rumen pH, improved rumen microbiota richness and partial probiotic colonization, and considerably increased dry matter intake, milk production, protein content, and yield. Moreover, after calving, AMCB supplementation considerably reduced the serum blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels and increased the serum immunoglobulin G and A levels. The results indicated that AMCB dietary supplementation improved postpartum dry matter intake, production performance, partial immune function, antioxidant capacity, and rumen microbiota richness in Holstein dairy cows in the transition period. AMC is an excellent candidate for use as a rumen buffer.

Changes in dietary composition affect the rumen microbiota in ruminants. However, information on the effects of dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio changes on yak rumen bacteria and metabolites is limited. This study characterized the effect of three different dietary concentrate-to-forage ratios (50:50, C50 group; 65:35, C65 group; 80:20, C80 group) on yak rumen fluid microbiota and metabolites using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses. Rumen fermentation parameters and the abundance of rumen bacteria were affected by changes in the dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio, and there was a strong correlation between them. At the genus level, higher relative abundances of norank_f__F082, NK4A214_group, Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, Acetitomaculum, and norank_f__norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014 were observed with a high dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio (P < 0.05). Combined metabolomic and enrichment analyses showed that changes in the dietary concentrate-to-forage ratio significantly affected rumen metabolites related to amino acid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and purine metabolism. Compared with the C50 group, 3-methylindole, pantothenic acid, D-pantothenic acid, and 20-hydroxy-leukotriene E4 were downregulated in the C65 group, while spermine and ribose 1-phosphate were upregulated. Compared to the C50 group, Xanthurenic acid, tyramine, ascorbic acid, D-glucuronic acid, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a, lipoxin B4, and deoxyadenosine monophosphate were upregulated in the C80 group, while 3-methylindole and 20-hydroxy-leukotriene E4 were downregulated. All metabolites (Xanthurenic acid, L-Valine, N-Acetyl-L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde, N-Acetyl-L-glutamic acid, Tyramine, 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1a, Lipoxin B4, Xanthosine, Thymine, Deoxyinosine, and Uric acid) were upregulated in the C80 group compared with the C65 group. Correlation analysis of microorganisms and metabolites provided new insights into the function of rumen bacteria, as well as a theoretical basis for formulating more scientifically appropriate feeding strategies for yak.

Supplementation with saccharomyces cerevisiae culture products (SCs) has shown effectiveness in alleviating or improving the health and productivity of ruminants at a high risk of digestive and metabolic problems as a consequence of their physiological state and feeding system (i.e., Holstein cows during peak lactation). However, the effects of SC supplementation on ruminal digestion and microbial population are not yet well-understood. Hence, this study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the effects of in vitro SC supplementation on ruminal nutrient digestibility and microbial community. This study included three treatment groups: a control group (CON, 0% SC proportion of substrate DM), a low-dose SC group (LSC, 0.10% SC proportion of substrate DM), and a high-dose SC group (HSC, 0.30% SC proportion of substrate DM). The SC product contained 7.0 × 109 CFU/g. After 48 h of fermentation at 39 °C, the incubation fluid and residue were collected to measure the ruminal nutrient digestibility and microbial community. The results showed that supplemental SC tended (p = 0.096) to increase DM digestibility due to an increase (9.6%, p = 0.03) in CP digestibility and via a tendency (0.05 < p < 0.08) to increase the fiber fraction. Additionally, the 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing results revealed that the richness and diversity of the microbiota were unchanged by SC supplementation, while the abundances of Spirochaetes, Tenericutes, and Spirochaetaceae were lower in the SC groups than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundances of Selenomonas and Succinivibrio were increased by SC supplementation (p < 0.05), while SC supplementation decreased the abundances of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Treponema_2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the predicted function of the microbiota showed that carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism were enriched in the SC groups compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). Except for the increases in ADF digestibility (p = 0.032) and pH (p = 0.076) at 0.30%, the supplemental level did not result in additional effects. In summary, our results demonstrate that SC supplementation could improve ruminal nutrient degradation digestibility and alter microbiota composition.

Currently, information available on the comprehensive changes in the rumen bacteria and metabolites of yaks fed high-grain diets is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-grain diet feeding on the blood metabolites, rumen microbiome, and metabolomics of yaks by using 16S rDNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Here, fourteen healthy male yaks (body weight, 249.61 ± 8.13 kg) were randomly assigned to two different diets: a hay diet (0% grain, CON, n = 7), or a high-grain diet (70% grain, HG, n = 7). At the 74th day of treatment, blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected for the blood metabolites, rumen microbiome, and metabolomics analyses. The HG diet increased lipopolysaccharides (LPS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), haptoglobin (HPT), serum amyloid-A (SAA), interleukin-1β (IL1-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) serum concentrations (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON diet, the HG diet decreased rumen pH (p < 0.05), and increased total volatile fatty acids concentration, and proportion of butyrate (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Saccharibacteria were higher (p < 0.05), while Bacteroidetes was lower (p < 0.05) in the HG group than those in the CON group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Christensenelaceae_R-7_group, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, and Acetitomaculum were higher than in those in the HG diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the HG diet increased the concentrations of biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, and putrescine), common amino acids (phenylalanine, threonine, serine, etc.), and arachidonic acid (prostaglandin H2, prostaglandin E2, 12(S)-HPETE, etc.). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the HG diet altered the microbiota and metabolites, as well as potentially damaged their rumen health and induced inflammation in yaks.

Rosemary extract (RE) has been used as an antioxidant in cosmetics and food additives, indicating its potential as a feed additive to improve adaptation in high-producing dairy cows. Here, we investigated the effects of RE supplementation on lactation performance and rumen fermentation in high-producing dairy cows. Thirty multiparous cows were blocked into 15 groups based on milk production and were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 0 or 28 g/d of RE supplementation to the basic diet per cow. The experiment was conducted over a 74-day period, which included an initial two-week adaptation period. We observed significant increases in milk and milk lactose yields following RE supplementation. Somatic cell count tended to decrease by treatment. Additionally, superoxide dismutase concentration significantly increased and malonaldehyde level decreased after RE supplementation. Sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed that RE supplementation significantly affected the microbial composition and decreased the richness of the microbiota. Specifically, the abundance of the genus Prevotella was significantly decreased by RE supplementation and was correlated with volatile fatty acids in the Mantel test, whereas no significant correlation was found for other genera. Our findings provide fundamental information on the potential for RE as a feed additive for dairy cows to improve antioxidant status and enhance propionate generation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation, and bacterial community composition of grazing yaks during the warm season. Eight male yaks (body weight, 123.96 ± 7.43 kg; 3-years) were randomly allocated to two treatments groups: grazing (n = 4, GY) and concentrate supplement group (n = 4, GYS). Concentrate supplementation increased the average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05). Glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum concentrations were significantly higher in the GYS group than in the GY group (p < 0.05). Ammonia-N, MCP: microbial protein, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were significantly higher in the GYS group than in the GY group (p < 0.01), whereas the pH and acetate: propionate values were significantly decreased (p < 0.01). The relative abundance of Firmicutes in the rumen fluid was significantly higher in the GYS group than in the GY group (p < 0.01). At the genus level, the relative abundances of Succiniclasticum, Prevotellaceae_UCG_003, Prevotellaceae_UCG_005, and Ruminococcus_1 were significantly greater in the GY group than in the GYS group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, concentrate supplementation improved yaks’ growth potential during the warm season, improved ruminal fermentation, and altered core bacteria abundance.