Rumen microbiome dynamics and their implications in health and environment

Authors: Li, Robert; MOON, C.D. - Ag Research Limited; MORGAVI, D.P. - Inrae

Submitted to: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2023
Publication Date: 6/6/2023
Citation: Li, R.W., Moon, C.D., Morgavi, D.P. 2023. Rumen microbiome dynamics and their implications in health and environment. Frontiers in Microbiology. 14. Article e1223885. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1223885.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1223885

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: As part of the unique digestive system of ruminants, the rumen harbors a dazzling array of microbial diversity, which are responsible for biotransformation of plant fibers, detoxification of secondary metabolites and xenobiotics, and the emission of methane. Ruminal manipulation represents one of cost-effective strategies for achieving economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness. Understanding the establishment sequence of the rumen microbiota during early life provides clues to the rumen function. While seemingly lack of resilience to disturbances, the rumen microbiota at early life provides a window of opportunities for ruminal intervention for desired growth performance. Further, the prenatal adaptation of the rumen can increase dry matter intake after weaning, resulting in higher bodyweight gain. The efficiency of methane inhibitors, both natural and synthetic origin, in reducing methane emission while maintaining production efficiency, have been compared. Although some of these inhibitors reduce methane emission by up to 90%, obstacles prevent their widespread use. Inhibition is generally transient, dissipating when inhibitors are withdrawn. When used at doses required to achieve strong effect, many methane inhibitors interfere with feed intake and digestion, harming production traits such as live weight gain. To overcome the difficulties of transient methanogenesis inhibition, genetic selection to achieve permanent reductions to the methane emission related to livestock farming has been proposed. Residual methane emissions (RME) can be used as an optimal phenotype for assessing the methanogenic potential of ruminants. Microbial signatures with predictive accuracy for RME should be developed to facilitate the development of environmentally focused breeding programs.