Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
11:02
The Use of an Automated System GreenFeed to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals
Published on: September 7, 2015
21.9K
Programming rumen microbiome development in calves with the anti-methanogenic compound 3-NOP
Gonzalo Martinez-Fernandez1, Stuart E Denman1, Nicola Walker2
1CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia.
Animal Microbiome
|October 25, 2024
Summary
Early life 3-NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol) supplementation in calves reduced methane emissions, establishing a persistent rumen microbiome. This early intervention influences microbial structure and function long after treatment withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Ruminant nutrition and microbiology
- Animal science and environmental impact
- Methane mitigation strategies
Background:
- Rumen microbiome plays a crucial role in host digestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
- 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) is an anti-methanogenic compound with potential for methane reduction.
- Understanding early-life rumen development and the impact of interventions is vital for sustainable livestock farming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maternal and offspring 3-NOP supplementation on rumen microbial and fermentation profiles.
- To assess the lasting impact of early-life 3-NOP intervention on rumen microbiome structure and function up to 12 months of age.
- To evaluate methane emissions in relation to rumen microbial changes following 3-NOP withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight pregnant heifers and their offspring were assigned to four groups: Control (-) or 3-NOP (+) for dam and calf.
- Treatment administered from 6 weeks pre-calving until weaning; offspring monitored until 12 months.
- Rumen fluid analysis, methane measurements (Greenfeed system), and microbial population profiling were conducted.
Main Results:
- 3-NOP treatment shifted rumen fermentation from acetate to propionate, increasing branched-chain fatty acids and formic acid.
- Microbial shifts included decreased methanogens and increased Succiniclasticum spp., Candidatus Saccharimonas, Fibrobacter, Prevotellaceae, Succinivibrioacea, and Entodinium.
- Early-life 3-NOP intervention showed enduring effects on rumen microbial structure up to 28 weeks post-weaning, with a 15% reduction in methane emissions in one group.
Conclusions:
- Early-life 3-NOP intervention can establish a rumen microbiome resembling a low-methane adult, with pre-weaning microbes comprising ~65% of the yearling microbiome.
- The anti-methanogenic effect of 3-NOP diminished after withdrawal, highlighting the need for optimized dosing and timing for sustained methane reduction.
- Further research is required to determine optimal 3-NOP strategies for sustained methane emission reduction in calves under various conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Microbes and Methanogenesis
Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...