Comparative study of growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal and fecal bacterial community between yaks and cattle-yaks raised by stall-feeding

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to compare the growth performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal and fecal bacterial community between yaks and cattle-yaks. Ten male yaks (36-month-old) were used as the yak (YAK) group and 10 male cattle-yaks with similar age were selected as the cattle-yak (CAY) group. All the animals were fed same ration and the experiment lasted for 60 days. The results showed that the average daily gain and dry matter intake of CAY group were higher (P < 0.05) than those of YAK group. The ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate were higher (P < 0.05) in CAY group than those in YAK group. However, the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility exhibited an opposite between two groups. In the rumen, the relative abundances of Prevotella 1 and Prevotellaceae UCG-001 were higher (P < 0.05) and Succiniclasticum and Butyrivibrio 2 were lower (P < 0.05) in YAK group compared to CAY group. In the feces, the unclassified Lachnospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group were significantly enriched (P < 0.05) in YAK group, whereas the Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae UCG-013, and Succiniclasticum were significantly enriched (P < 0.05) in CAY group. Overall, under the same diet, the yaks have higher fiber utilization and cattle-yaks have higher energy utilization.

Effects of Management, Dietary Intake, and Genotype on Rumen Morphology, Fermentation, and Microbiota, and on Meat Quality in Yaks and Cattle

“…Prevotella _1, which uses mainly proteins as a substrate for growth ( 52 ), was correlated significantly with feed; whereas Succiniclasticum specializes in fermenting succinate to produce propionate ( 53 ). Ruminococcaceae , which was observed in different ovine breeds ( 54 , 55 ), is a cellulolytic family of bacteria that plays a role in biohydrogenation ( 56 ). Hydrogen can be incorporated into succinate to increase Christensenellaceae , which is involved in carbohydrate digestion, and increases at the mid-fattening period of cattle ( 57 , 58 ).…”

Effects of the higher concentrate ratio on the production performance, ruminal fermentation, and morphological structure in male cattle‐yaks

“…However, due to the harsh environment of the plateau, the forage grass tends to become extremely scarce in the cold season. Generally, the production performance of yaks cannot catch up with the other breeds of beef cattle, resulting in a lower economical income (Dai et al., 2021 ). Thus, to promote the production performance of yaks, the cattle‐yak is bred to combine the traits such as cold tolerance along with the excellent productivity of the other cattle.…”

“…The growth performance of the cattle‐yaks can be improved by stall‐feeding with mixed ration (Dai et al., 2021 ). In dairy cows (Lechartier & Peyraud, 2010 ), cattle (Brown et al., 2006 ), and yaks (G. J. Chen et al., 2015 ), a high concentrate feeding model is conducive for improving the performance of the production.…”

“…resulting in a lower economical income (Dai et al, 2021). Thus, to promote the production performance of yaks, the cattle-yak is bred to combine the traits such as cold tolerance along with the excellent productivity of the other cattle.…”

“…The growth performance of the cattle-yaks can be improved by stallfeeding with mixed ration (Dai et al, 2021). In dairy cows (Lechartier & Peyraud, 2010), cattle (Brown et al, 2006), and yaks (G. J.…”