Host genetics influence the rumen microbiota and heritable rumen microbial features associate with feed efficiency in...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiology
• Genetics

Background:

• The rumen microbiota is crucial for ruminant digestion and impacts production traits.
• Heritability of rumen microbial features and their link to host genetics and performance remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the heritability of rumen microbial features in beef cattle.
• To identify host genetic components influencing the rumen microbiota.
• To determine the association between microbial features and animal performance.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of rumen microbiota in 709 beef cattle.
• Estimation of heritability (h² ≥ 0.15) for microbial diversity, taxa abundance, and bacterial counts.
• Genomic analysis to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with microbial taxa.

Main Results:

• Breed, sex, and diet significantly influenced rumen microbiota composition.
• Heritability estimates for microbial features (diversity, abundance of 59 taxa, bacterial counts) were ≥ 0.15.
• 19 SNPs associated with 14 rumen microbial taxa, with 5 SNPs linked to feed efficiency quantitative trait loci.

Conclusions:

• Rumen microbial features are heritable and influenced by host genetics in cattle.
• Genetic selection offers a strategy to optimize rumen microbiota for improved feed efficiency.
• Targeting host genetics and rumen microbiota can enhance feed efficiency and rumen fermentation.