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Relationship between hindgut microbes and feed conversion ratio in Hu sheep and microbial longitudinal development
Dan Xu1, Jiangbo Cheng1, Deyin Zhang2
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.
Journal of Animal Science
|September 24, 2023
Summary
Sheep hindgut microbes impact feed efficiency. Researchers identified specific microbial biomarkers and pathways, like volatile fatty acid synthesis, linked to feed conversion ratio in Hu sheep.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Feed efficiency is crucial for sheep production, impacting economic benefits and environmental sustainability.
- Hindgut microbial fermentation contributes to host energy supply, and its composition influences feed efficiency.
- Understanding sheep gut microbes offers potential for regulating feed efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in rectal microbial composition between sheep with high and low feed conversion ratios (FCR).
- To identify microbial biomarkers associated with feed efficiency in Hu sheep.
- To explore the functional roles of hindgut microbes in influencing FCR.
Main Methods:
- Hu sheep were divided into high and low FCR groups based on performance from 80 to 180 days old.
- Rectal microbial communities were analyzed using permutational multivariate analysis (PERMANOVA).
- Linear fitting analysis identified microbial biomarkers; functional enrichment analysis explored microbial pathways.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in rectal microbial composition were found between high and low FCR groups (P < 0.05).
- Six microbial biomarkers, including Ruminobacter, Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group, and Romboutsia, were identified.
- Microbial function related to volatile fatty acid synthesis and inflammatory response may influence FCR.
Conclusions:
- Hindgut microbial composition is associated with feed efficiency in sheep.
- Specific gut bacteria and their metabolic functions represent potential targets for improving feed efficiency.
- Microbiota composition undergoes significant shifts post-weaning, with reduced influence from pre-weaning microbial communities.
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