Rumen fermentation and microbiota in Shami goats fed on condensed tannins or herbal mixture.

BACKGROUND: Phytochemical compounds can modify the rumen microbiome and improve rumen fermentation. This study evaluated the impact of supplementation with tannin and an herbal mixture containing ginger (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), Artemisia (Artemisia vulgaris), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the rumen fermentation and microbiota, and histology of rumen tissue of goats. Eighteen Shami male goats were divided into three groups (n = 6): non-supplemented animals fed the basal diet (C, control); animals fed basal diet and supplemented with condensed tannin (T); and animals fed basal diet and supplemented with herbal mixture (HM). Each animal received a basal diet composed of Alfalfa hay and a concentrate feed mixture. RESULTS: Group HM revealed higher (P < 0.05) rumen pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric. Principal Co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that rumen microbial communities in the control group and supplemented groups were distinct. The supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundances of phylum Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria and declined (P < 0.05) Firmicutes and Fibrobacterota. Additionally, the dominant genus Prevotella and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group were increased (P < 0.05) and the family Ruminococcaceae was declined (P < 0.05) due to the supplementation. The supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) the archaeal genus Methanobrevibacter and increased (P < 0.05) Candidatus Methanomethylophilus. Tannin supplementation in T group shortened the rumen papillae. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that the herbal mixture might be used to alter the rumen microbiota to improve rumen fermentation.

Response of rumen fermentation and microbiota to dietary supplementation of sodium selenite and bio-nanostructured selenium in lactating Barki sheep.

Dietary selenium (Se) sources affects the structure of the rumen microbial community and rumen fermentation. This study evaluated the effects of sodium selenite (SS) and bio-nanostructured selenium (SeNSM) on rumen fermentation and structure of rumen microbial community of lactating Barki ewes. Twenty one lactating Barki ewes were assigned into three groups based on their body weight and milk yield. The experiment lasted for 50 days, whenever, the control group was fed basal diet; group SS received basal diets plus sodium selenite as inorganic source of Se; and group SeNSM received basal diet plus organic selenium bio-nanostructured. Ruminal pH and volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) was lower (P < 0.05) in SeNSM group compared to control. Principle Coordinate Analysis separated the microbial communities into three clusters based on feeding treatment. The bacterial community was dominated by phylum Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes that were affected (P < 0.05) by Se sources. Specifically Bacteriodetes was higher (P < 0.05) in SS and SeNSM groups; and Firmicutes was higher (P < 0.05) in the control group. Moreover, the predominant bacterial genera were Prevotella, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Unclassified_Bacteroidales, which were higher (P < 0.05) in SeNSM group. The methanogenic community belonged to phylum Euryarchaeota and was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by Se supplementation. Principal component analysis based on rumen fermentation parameters, and relative abundances of bacteria and methanogens revealed three distinct clusters. These findings suggest that Se supplementation affected the relative abundances of dominant bacterial groups, declined rumen methanogens and SeNSM supplementation showed some positive impacts on some fibrolytic bacteria.

Modulation of rumen bacterial community and feed utilization in camel and sheep using combined supplementation of live yeast and microalgae.

The combination of live yeast and microalgae as feed supplementation could improve rumen fermentation and animal productivity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a mixture of (YA) yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and microalgae (Spirulina platensis and Chlorella vulgaris) as feed supplementation on feed intake, rumen disappearance of barley straw, bacteria, and fermentation, blood parameters of camels and sheep. Three fistulated camels and three fistulated rams were fed a concentrates mixture and ad libitum barley straw as a basal diet alone or supplemented with YA mixture. The dietary supplementation improved the feed intake, rumen disappearance of barley straw nutrients, and the blood immunity parameters. The YA supplementation affected rumen fermentation as well as the composition and diversity of rumen bacteria; however, the response to the supplementation varied according to animal species. Principle Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) separated bacterial communities based on animal species and feeding treatment. Phylum Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominated the bacterial community; and the dominant genera were Prevotella, RC9_gut_group, Butyrivibrio, Ruminococcus, Saccharofermentans, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Succiniclasticum. Our results suggest positive impacts of YA supplementation in rumen fermentation and animal performance.