Effect of methionine hydroxy analog feed supplements: Significant alteration and enrichment of rumen microbiota and metabolome in Hu sheep

Abstract

Methionine hydroxy analogs (MHA) are widely used as the main sources of methionine in ruminant feed production. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of using MHA supplements such as MHA as a salt of calcium (MHA-Ca) and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi) as sources of methionine on the rumen microbiota and metabolome in Hu sheep. Seventy-two healthy Hu sheep were randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups: control, MHA-Ca, and HMBi groups. The results showed that the concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate were higher in the HMBi group than in the control group. The HMBi and MHA-Ca groups had higher alpha diversity values than those in control group. We compared the rumen microbiota by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At the phylum level, the HMBi group had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Synergistetes than did the control group. At the genus level, the control group had a higher relative abundance of Treponema_2 than did the HBMi group and a higher relative abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG_004 than did the MHA-Ca group. Metabolomic analyses revealed that fatty acids, amino acids, lipids, organic acids, sugars, amines, and nucleosides were significantly altered in both MHA-Ca and HMBi groups. Metabolites with significant differences were enriched in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms, such as phenylalanine metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, tryptophan metabolism, galactose metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism. Above all, the findings presented in this study indicate that MHA alter the rumen microbiota and metabolites and that different forms of MHA have different impacts. The results of our study contribute to a better understanding of the effects of MHA.

Lycium barbarum (Wolfberry) Branches and Leaves Enhance the Growth Performance and Improve the Rumen Microbiota in Hu Sheep

“…The functional pathways involved in rumen microbes in this experiment were primarily related to metabolism, including carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. This is in line with previous studies conducted on Tibetan sheep [ 66 ] and Hu sheep [ 67 ]. The addition of LBL did not have a significant impact on rumen microbiota-related functions and pathways compared to the control.…”

Dietary Palygorskite-Based Antibacterial Agent Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotics Improves Growth Performance, Blood Parameters, and Rumen Microbiota in Sheep

“…There are several kinds of bacteria in the rumen, and various bacteria work together to degrade feed into metabolites, providing sufficient energy and nutrients for the host [44]. Thus, the rumen microbiota and rumen microbial fermentation are closely related to host productivity, health, and well-being [45]. Some studies have shown that different diets and feed additives can affect rumen fermentation and microbiota [46,47].…”

“…The rumen is a big microbial ecosystem consistuing of various rumen microbes, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses [45]. The diversity and richness of rumen microbes are the key factors affecting rumen function [50,51].…”

Dietary Palygorskite-based Antibacterial Agent Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotics Improves Growth Performance, Blood Parameters and Rumen Microbiota in Sheep

“…There are several kinds of bacteria in the rumen, and various bacteria work together to degrade feed into metabolites, providing sufficient energy and nutrients for the host [43]. Thus, the rumen microbiota and rumen microbial fermentation are closely related to host productivity, health, and well-being [44]. Some studies have shown that different diets and feed additives can affect rumen fermentation and microbiota [45,46].…”