Genome-centric metagenomics reveals uncharacterised microbiomes in Angus cattle

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Microbiome Research
• Genomics

Background:

• Cattle health and productivity are linked to their microbiome.
• Limited knowledge exists on beef cattle oral and nasal microbiomes.
• Understanding these microbiomes is crucial for animal welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the fecal, oral, and nasal microbiomes of Australian Angus cattle.
• To generate a catalog of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from these body sites.
• To explore the functional and taxonomic composition of cattle microbiomes.

Main Methods:

• Genome-centric metagenomics approach.
• Analysis of samples from Australian Angus cattle across different herds and life stages.
• Taxonomic and functional annotation of recovered MAGs.

Main Results:

• Substantial MAGs were recovered from fecal, oral, and nasal samples.
• Faecal microbiomes were dominated by Bacillota and Bacteroidota.
• Oral and nasal microbiomes showed a higher abundance of Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota.
• Enriched pathways included amino acid, nucleic acid, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production.
• Metabolic capacities correlated with microbial taxonomy at the phylum level.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a comprehensive catalog of MAGs for beef cattle.
• The findings enhance understanding of microbiome roles in cattle health and fitness.
• Further research can leverage this catalog to improve animal productivity and welfare.