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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #369540
Research Project: Improve Nutrient Management and Efficiency of Beef Cattle and Swine

Location: Nutrition, Growth and Physiology

Title: Rumen epithelial transcriptome and microbiome profiles of beef cattle with liver abscesses

Author
item Lindholm-Perry, Amanda
item ABBAS, WASEEM - University Of Nebraska
item Keel, Brittney
item FERNANDO, SAMODHA - University Of Nebraska
item Wells, James - Jim
item HALES, KRISTIN - Former ARS Employee

Submitted to: Annual International Plant & Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2019
Publication Date: 1/2/2020
Citation: Lindholm-Perry, A.K., Abbas, W., Keel, B.N., Fernando, S., Wells, J., Hales, K.E. 2020. Rumen epithelial transcriptome and microbiome profiles of beef cattle with liver abscesses [abstract]. International Plant & Animal Genome XXVIII Conference, January 11-15, 2020, San Diego, California. Poster Number PO0325. Available at: https://plan.core-apps.com/pag_2020/abstract/720aec4f687fb81a6ae44784bf04eela.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Liver condemnation is most often caused by liver abscess and is estimated to cost the beef industry $64 million annually. Fusobacterium necrophorum, a bacterial species commonly found in the rumen, is the primary pathogen associated with liver abscess in cattle by transport to the liver via damage to the rumen wall. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were gene expression and microbial population differences in the rumen epithelium of beef cattle with severe liver abscesses compared to those without liver abscess. Rumen tissue was collected from 31 beef steers and heifers with liver abscess and 30 animals with no liver abscess for the evaluation of gene expression differences. A total of 221 genes were identified as differentially expressed in the animals with severe liver abscess. Genes belonging to the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-KB) signaling and interferon signaling pathways were identified as over-represented in the list of differentially expressed genes (DEG). Most of these genes were down-regulated in animals with severe liver abscesses. There were differences in the microbial communities of the rumen papillae between animals with and without liver abscesses. In addition, strong correlations were detected between specific epithelial bacterial groups and DEG. These data suggest that there are both host and microbial factors impacting gene expression in the rumen papillae, which may affect the development or persistence of liver abscesses in beef cattle.