Scientific Reports (Oct 2023)

Ruminal and feces metabolites associated with feed efficiency, water intake and methane emission in Nelore bulls

  • Jessica Moraes Malheiros,
  • Banny Silva Barbosa Correia,
  • Caroline Ceribeli,
  • Jennifer Jessica Bruscadin,
  • Wellison J. S. Diniz,
  • Priyanka Banerjee,
  • Dielson da Silva Vieira,
  • Tainã Figueiredo Cardoso,
  • Bruno Gabriel Nascimento Andrade,
  • Juliana Petrini,
  • Daniel Rodrigues Cardoso,
  • Luiz Alberto Colnago,
  • Stanislau Bogusz Junior,
  • Gerson Barreto Mourão,
  • Luiz Lehmann Coutinho,
  • Julio Cesar Pascale Palhares,
  • Sergio Raposo de Medeiros,
  • Alexandre Berndt,
  • Luciana Correia de Almeida Regitano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45330-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to identify potential differences in the ruminal and fecal metabolite profiles of Nelore bulls under different nutritional interventions; and (2) to identify metabolites associated with cattle sustainability related-traits. We used different nutritional interventions in the feedlot: conventional (Conv; n = 26), and by-product (ByPr, n = 26). Thirty-eight ruminal fluid and 27 fecal metabolites were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the ByPr and Conv groups. Individual dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), observed water intake (OWI), predicted water intake (WI), and residual water intake (RWI) phenotypes were lower (P < 0.05) in the Conv group, while the ByPr group exhibited lower methane emission (ME) (P < 0.05). Ruminal fluid dimethylamine was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE (feed efficiency), OWI and WI. Aspartate was associated (P < 0.05) with DMI, RFI, FE and WI. Fecal C22:1n9 was significantly associated with OWI and RWI (P < 0.05). Fatty acid C14:0 and hypoxanthine were significantly associated with DMI and RFI (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that different nutritional interventions alter ruminal and fecal metabolites and provided new insights into the relationship of these metabolites with feed efficiency and water intake traits in Nelore bulls.