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Metagenomic composition and predicted metabolic pathway analyses of the endometrial and rectal microbiota in dairy cows following the introduction of a complex feed additive

Yildirim, Elena A., Laptev, Georgi Yu., Ilina, Larisa A., Ponomareva, Ekaterina S., Brazhnik, Evgeni A., Smetannikova, Tatyana S., Novikova, Natalia I., Tyurina, Darya G., Filippova, Valentina A., Dubrovin, Andrei V., and others. (2025) Metagenomic composition and predicted metabolic pathway analyses of the endometrial and rectal microbiota in dairy cows following the introduction of a complex feed additive. Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition), 17 (1). Article Number 25725. ISSN 1945-0494. E-ISSN 1945-0508. (doi:10.31083/FBE25725) (KAR id:108522)

Abstract

Background:

The microbiome composition in dairy cows (Bos taurus) directly impacts on health and reproductive performance. This study aimed to determine the metagenomic composition and predicted microbial community functions in the endometrium and rectal chyme of cows fed a complex feed additive (CFA). The latter included the Bacillus mucilaginosus 159 strain, a short-chain fatty acid, plus essential oils.

Methods:

Clinically healthy cows were divided into two groups (n = 15 in each): (I) a control group fed the standard diet, and (II) an experimental group. CFA was introduced into the diet of Group II during the entire transit period at a dose of 50 g per animal per day; moreover, all animals received Pen-Strep 400 antibiotics to prevent endometritis and other pathologies. The microbial community composition from the endometrium and rectal chyme biotopes was assessed using targeted next-generation sequencing.

Results:

Significant changes were observed in the composition and predicted metabolic pathways due to the CFA administration, with the endometrial microbiota being more responsive to CFA than the intestinal chyme microbiome. Remarkably, the Actinobacteriota representatives disappeared in the endometrium of Group II animals compared to controls, whose content ranged from 0.34 to 3.3%. The use of CFA also resulted in a less pronounced effect in four predicted metabolic pathways for microbial degradation of catechol in the endometrium compared to controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Our findings support the concept of a relationship between the gut microbiome and the reproductive system microflora of cows, as we observed changes in the composition and predicted metabolic pathways of the endometrial microbiota after orally administering CFA. This emphasizes the need for an integrated approach combining the correction of microecological disorders in the intestines and the reproductive system simultaneously.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.31083/FBE25725
Projects: Development of a New Biotechnological Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Endometritis in Cows
Uncontrolled keywords: Bos taurus; dairy cows; microbiota; metabolic pathways; endometrium; rectal chyme; complex feed additive; next-generation sequencing
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
Q Science > QP Physiology (Living systems)
Q Science > QP Physiology (Living systems) > QP517 Biochemistry
Q Science > QR Microbiology
S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Reproduction
Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Mike Romanov
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2025 07:02 UTC
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2025 00:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/108522 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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