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Rumen fluid metabolomics of beef steers differing in feed efficiency
Brooke A Clemmons1, Joshua B Powers2, Shawn R Campagna2
1Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Metabolomics : Official Journal of the Metabolomic Society
|January 29, 2020
Summary
Metabolites in steer rumen fluid differ based on feed efficiency. Identifying these biomarkers can help improve beef cattle feed efficiency, reducing costs for producers and consumers.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Metabolomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Beef cattle production is a major global industry with feed costs representing 40-60% of total expenses.
- Improving feed efficiency in beef cattle can lead to significant economic benefits and increased global protein availability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differences in rumen fluid metabolomes between beef steers with varying feed efficiencies.
- To explore potential metabolic biomarkers for assessing and improving feed efficiency in beef cattle herds.
Main Methods:
- Rumen fluid was collected from low- and high-residual feed intake (RFI) steers.
- Metabolite profiles were analyzed using UHPLC-MS and bioinformatics tools (MAVEN, MetaboAnalyst 4.0, SAS).
Main Results:
- Eight metabolites were significantly higher in low-RFI steers compared to high-RFI steers.
- These identified metabolites are primarily involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Rumen fluid metabolomes vary significantly with feed efficiency in beef steers.
- These metabolites show potential as biomarkers for feed efficiency and offer insights for herd improvement strategies.
