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Longitudinal Change in Rumen-Associated Bacterial Communities Following Aso Limonite Supplementation in Japanese
Kentaro Harakawa1, Kazuhiko Imakawa1
1Research Institute of Agriculture, Tokai University, Kumamoto 862-8652, Japan.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Maternal supplementation with Aso limonite, a volcanic mineral, altered rumen-associated bacterial communities in Japanese Brown cattle. This also resulted in increased calf body weight during early postpartum development.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Rumen Ecology
Background:
- Aso limonite, a natural volcanic mineral, is used as a cattle supplement in Japan.
- Its specific effects on cattle, particularly rumen microbiota and calf growth, remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal Aso limonite supplementation on rumen-associated bacterial communities.
- To assess the effects of limonite supplementation on calf growth in Japanese Brown cattle.
Main Methods:
- Buccal swabs were used as proxies for rumen-associated bacterial communities in Japanese Brown cattle.
- Bacterial diversity and specific taxa (e.g., Blastomonas, Denitromonas, Adlercreutzia) were analyzed longitudinally.
- Calf body weight was monitored from 28 to 84 days postpartum.
Main Results:
- Limonite supplementation induced prepartum differences in bacterial communities.
- Specific bacterial taxa showed distinct patterns related to limonite exposure and time.
- Calves from limonite-supplemented dams exhibited greater body weight between 28 and 84 days postpartum.
Conclusions:
- Maternal limonite supplementation selectively alters rumen-associated bacterial communities.
- This supplementation is associated with enhanced early growth in calves.
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