Host transcriptome and microbiome interactions in Holstein cattle under heat stress condition

Area of Science:

• Animal Physiology
• Genomics
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Climate change induces heat stress in cattle, affecting physiology at genomic, transcriptomic, and microbiomic levels.
• Previous research identified specific gut microbiota associated with heat stress indicators in cattle.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate gene-microbiome interactions in cattle under heat stress.
• Identify genetic and microbial factors influencing heat stress response in Chinese Holstein cows.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed mRNA from blood and 16S rRNA from fecal samples of 71 cows.
• Performed bioinformatics analysis including gene expression quantification and microbiome classification.
• Utilized weighted co-expression network analysis to identify gene-microbiota interactions and hub elements.

Main Results:

• Identified 1,851 differentially expressed genes common across three heat stress phenotypes, primarily linked to cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.
• Discovered three gene-microbiota modules associated with rectal temperature, with bacterial species as key regulators.
• Highlighted the significant role of the microbiome in regulating gene expression during heat stress.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in cattle's gene expression response to heat stress.
• Identified specific genes and microbial species that can serve as biomarkers for heat stress in cattle.