Dynamics and stabilization of the rumen microbiome in yearling Tibetan sheep

Abstract

The productivity of ruminants depends largely on rumen microbiota. However, there are few studies on the age-related succession of rumen microbial communities in grazing lambs. Here, we conducted 16 s rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial identification on rumen fluid samples from 27 Tibetan lambs at nine developmental stages (days (D) 0, 2, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 360, n = 3). We observed that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria populations were significantly changed during the growing lambs’ first year of life. Bacteroidetes abundance increased from 18.9% on D0 to 53.9% on D360. On the other hand, Proteobacteria abundance decreased significantly from 40.8% on D0 to 5.9% on D360. Prevotella_1 established an absolute advantage in the rumen after 7 days of age. The co-occurrence network showed that the different microbial of the rumen presented a complex synergistic and cumbersome relationship. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, indicating that during the colonization process, may occur a phenomenon in which bacteria with close kinship are preferentially colonized. Overall, this study provides new insights into the colonization of bacterial communities in lambs that will benefit the development of management strategies to promote colonization of target communities to improve functional development.

The Comparative Analysis of the Ruminal Bacterial Population in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.) from the Russian Arctic Zone: Regional and Seasonal Effects

“…Deusch et al [72] reported the high metabolic activity of Verrucomicrobia in the rumen as being due to the higher protein content in comparison to other OTUs; the authors also underlined the minority of this ruminal community and the lack of knowledge regarding its role. It was also reported that the concentrations of these species in the rumen of Tibetan sheep tended to increase with age [73]. Succiniclasticum is a genus of ruminal bacteria that transforms succinate to propionate as the single energy-producing pathway; it also participates in the ruminal metabolism of fatty acids [74].…”

Influence of host genetics in shaping the rumen bacterial community in beef cattle

“…In ruminants, the microbial population is established by successive waves where convergence of microbial populations are seen reaching a more stable population structure 8 – 11 . The establishment of a gut microbial community is influenced by multiple factors, including diet, environment, and host genotype 2 – 6 , 12 , 13 .…”

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in SIRT1 and SIRT2 Loci and Growth in Tibetan Sheep

“…Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries), providing hides, meat, and milk for indigenous Tibetans [13], possessed hypoxia-tolerant and cold-resistant ability in harsh Tibetan plateau [14]. According to the biological function in energy metabolism, ovine SIRT1 and SIRT2 may exert a critical influence on regulation of growth traits in Tibetan sheep.…”